Though there has been no official confirmation, yet it is learnt that this move has been taken keeping in view the spirituality and sanctity of the Dera
The management of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) has reportedly put a ban on photography and videography during any VIP movement in its headquarters in Amritsar district. Though there has been no official confirmation, yet it is learnt that this move has been taken keeping in view the spirituality and sanctity of the Dera.
Nonetheless, a ‘sewadar’, preferring anonymity, said that this decision was taken to spread a message that all are equal and no special treatment would be given to anyone visiting the sect head.
So far, it is a verbal message: No VIP treatment to anyone visiting the Dera. The visitors will be requested not to get pictures clicked with the sect head or forward these to their social media handlers. The sangat too has been appealed to refrain from clicking pictures as it vitiates the spiritual ambience of the revered place.
Secretary of RSSB Devender Kumar Sikri was non-reachable despite repeated attempts on phone.
Sources said that the Dera management might have decided to put a curb on clicking and circulating the Dera head’s picture, apparently, in the backdrop of his photographs with politicians being widely circulated and misinterpreted on social media.
Lately, his presence was underlined on two occasions — his visit to Nabha jail to meet SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, and second, his participation in the Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria’s foot march against drugs in Ferozepur. BJP working president Ashwani Sharma and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal too had attended the occasion.
These instances had stirred a political storm ahead of the 2017 Assembly election. Speculations are also rife that the sect head could be BJP’s CM candidate in the ensuing poll and another one is that he could be the conduit to forge a re-alliance between SAD and BJP.
As precedent goes, top politicians of all parties from the Centre and the state pay a visit to the Dera ‘to gain political mileage’, but fresh restrictions on circulating their photos with the Dera head on social media would hamper their purpose.
The Dera, as a policy, prohibits the use of social media handlers like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or X for disseminating official information, both within India and abroad.
There is already a restriction on carrying of mobile phones inside the Dera. The visitors have to deposit their mobile phones at the entrance gate voluntarily. Still, those disciples who stay inside the Dera carry their mobile phones. They capture the pictures of the satsang, motivational talks and other activities of the Dera and also upload these on YouTube or social media platforms.
