हिंदी
Centre Must Not Politicise or Delay Trains for Devotees Visiting Guru Ravidas Ji’s Birthplace: Deepak Bali
Deepak Bali Appeals to Ravneet Bittu: Rise Above Politics and Act as a Servant of the Guru to Get Trains Approved for Devotees
Chandigarh, 20 April 2026
Advisor to the Punjab Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Deepak Bali, has appealed to the Central Government to immediately allocate special trains from Punjab to Kashi (Varanasi) in connection with the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji.
He clarified that the Punjab Government is celebrating this sacred occasion on a grand scale from February 2026 to February 2027. As part of year-long events, Kirtan Darbars and religious processions are being organized across the country, including at all places associated with the Guru Sahib.
Deepak Bali stated that to facilitate devotees in paying obeisance at the Guru Sahib’s birthplace and place of meditation, ‘Kashi’, the Punjab Government has planned to run special trains for an entire year. In this regard, the Punjab Government had already written to IRCTC on March 30 requesting the operation of these trains. However, despite nearly a month having passed, no positive response has been received from the Central Government or the Railway Department.
He said that he has personally also taken up the matter with the Railways, but so far only responses such as “under consideration” have been received, which is not appropriate behavior towards the Guru’s devotees.
Bali appealed to the Central Government, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu not to let this sacred matter fall prey to politics.
He said that this is not merely a demand of the Aam Aadmi Party government, but a matter of faith for lakhs of Guru-loving devotees. The Central Government should not view this through a political lens simply because the request has been made by the Punjab Government.
Appealing especially to Ravneet Bittu as a representative of Punjab, Bali urged him to act as a humble servant of the Guru and ensure early approval of these trains.
Deepak Bali also appealed to the entire Sant Samaj to put pressure on the Central Government and concerned ministers so that the devotees of Punjab can visit the Guru’s holy places at the earliest. He stated that delays in matters of religious faith are not justified, and the Centre must take immediate action on the pending request with IRCTC and release the train schedule without further delay.
