Doaba region has once again moved to the centre of political attention, with major parties intensifying efforts to win the confidence of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. The region has emerged as a key political battleground as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) intensifies its outreach towards the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, a decisive voter bloc in the region. The renewed focus comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Dera Sachkhand Ballan, an event that political observers widely interpret as a strategic move by the BJP to expand its influence among Dalit voters, particularly followers of Shri Guru Ravidas. Although the visit was officially described as a mark of respect, its timing and symbolism have been viewed in political circles as part of the BJP’s broader attempt to strengthen its outreach and build deeper connections in Punjab’s Scheduled Caste heartland, with the intention of broadening its political footprint.
Sensing the political message behind the Prime Minister’s visit, the AAP government in Punjab appears to have responded with a more sustained and governance-driven approach. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced year-long celebrations to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Ravidas, beginning from Khuralgarh, the saint’s birthplace. The anniversary falls on February 20 next year, a period when the process for the next Punjab Assembly elections is also expected to be underway. By declaring the entire year as a celebration year, AAP has signalled its intent to remain continuously engaged with the Ravidas community rather than limiting its outreach to symbolic gestures.
As part of this initiative, the state government has announced the setting up of a study centre at Ballan, along with improved civic and pilgrimage facilities at Charan Chhoh Ganga and the Khuralgarh Tap Asthan of Shri Guru Ravidas. In addition, a state-level Shri Guru Ravidas Prakash Utsav is to be organised at the Guru Ravidas Memorial in Khuralgarh. AAP leaders argue that these steps reflect genuine respect for the teachings and legacy of Guru Ravidas by combining spiritual recognition with education, infrastructure development and social dignity. The political significance of these moves lies in the importance of the Doaba region, which has one of the highest concentrations of Scheduled Caste population in Punjab.
SC voters are known to have a decisive impact on almost all assembly constituencies in the region, including Sham Chaurasi (SC), Chabbewal (SC), Adampur (SC), Jalandhar West (SC), Kartarpur (SC), Phillaur (SC), Phagwara (SC) and even the general seat of Hoshiarpur. Control over these seats often depends on the extent to which parties are able to connect with community institutions, religious sentiments and socio-economic aspirations. Political analysts note that while the BJP is attempting to leverage the national stature of the Prime Minister through high-visibility visits such as the one to Dera Sachkhand Ballan, AAP is countering this with administrative decisions and long-term institutional support aimed at consolidating goodwill among SC voters before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.
The ruling party is keen to prevent the BJP from converting symbolic outreach into electoral gains, especially at a time when Dalit politics is becoming increasingly central to Punjab’s electoral discourse. With the Congress and other political players also closely watching developments in Doaba, efforts to garner the SC vote are expected to intensify in the coming months. The contrasting strategies, BJP’s emphasis on national-level symbolism and AAP’s focus on sustained state-level governance initiatives, have placed the legacy of Shri Guru Ravidas at the heart of the political narrative in Punjab.
As the state moves closer to the next assembly elections, the response of voters in Doaba will determine whether symbolic recognition or continuous engagement proves more influential in shaping Punjab’s political future.
(The author is a budding journalist. Views expressed are personal.)
