Satnami Community Protest Escalates in Chhattisgarh

Context:

A huge mob from the Satnami community torched dozens of vehicles, pelted police personnel with stones, and set afire the Superintendent of Police office building in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar district. The protesters were dissatisfied with the police’s handling of a case involving the desecration of a ‘Jaitkhamb’, a structure of sacred importance to the Satnamis, and are demanding a CBI probe.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Satnamis Community
2. Protest of Satnamis Community – Revolt of 1672
3. Revival of the Satnamis

Satnamis Community

• Identity and Origin:
  • The Satnamis believe in God whose name is ‘truth’ and are a significant group within the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Chhattisgarh.
  • They are considered an offshoot of the Ravidassia community.
  • The community was established on April 21, 1657, by Bir Bhan of Narnaul, Haryana. Udhodas, a disciple of Saint Ravidas, was the first spiritual leader.
• Location and Population:
  • They primarily inhabit the plains of Chhattisgarh’s central region, including Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Raipur.
• Principles and Beliefs:
  • The sect emphasizes three principles: adorning the attire of a Satnami devotee, earning money through proper means, and not tolerating injustice or oppression in any form.
  • Satnamis are believed to exert political influence by voting collectively. The majority of the 10 assembly segments allotted for SCs are occupied by community representatives.
• Political Influence:
  • Mini Mata, the first female Member of Parliament from Chhattisgarh, is revered by the community. She entered the Lok Sabha by winning the 1955 by-election. Political parties often invoke her to appeal to Satnamis for votes.

Protest of Satnamis Community – Revolt of 1672

• Revolt Against Mughal Rule:
  • The Satnami revolt occurred during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb around today’s Mahendragarh district of Haryana.
  • The revolt began when a Mughal soldier killed a Satnami, leading to about 5,000 Satnamis taking up arms.
  • They expelled the Mughal administrators from the town and established their own administration.
• Uprising Support:
  • The revolt gained support from Hindus in Agra and Ajmer, who were dissatisfied with Aurangzeb’s strict Islamic policies, including the revival of the Jizya tax, banning music and art, and destroying Hindu temples.
• Suppression:
  • Aurangzeb personally commanded the suppression of the revolt, sending troops with artillery.
  • The aftermath saw attempts to kill every remaining Satnami, leading the remnants to flee and remain disorganized and leaderless for a long time.

Revival of the Satnamis

• Reorganization and Social Identity:
  • The most important Satnami group was founded in 1820 in the Chhattisgarh region by Saint Ghasidas, a farm servant from the lower (Chamar) caste.
  • His Satnam Panth (“Sect of the True Name”) provided a religious and social identity for many Satnamis.
• Teachings and Practices:
  • Saint Ghasidas preached ethical and dietary self-restraint, social equality, and wrote Nirvan Gyan to propagate his teachings.
• Navigating Hindu Hierarchy:
  • Connections with the Kabir Panth at different historical points have helped Satnamis navigate their position within a larger Hindu hierarchy.

-Source: Indian Express