Who is Dalit influencer Gurinder Ranghreta, whose arrest has sparked debate on casteism in Sikh community

Describing himself as a “motivational speaker” and “the voice of oppressed people” on his multiple Facebook pages, Ranghreta would also introduce himself as “Ranghreta, Guru da beta.”

Known for his outspoken nature on social media, Ranghreta has long run a Facebook campaign against the “supremacy” of Jat Sikhs, earning support from Dalit and economically backward Sikh groups, especially the Mazhabi Sikh community. He conducts live Facebook sessions with photos of Dr. B R Ambedkar in the background, starting his speeches with the slogan “Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat.” In his recent posts, he also made derogatory remarks against another jailed influencer, Bhana Sidhu, and radical preacher Amritpal Singh. He heavily criticised “Jat Sikh-led farmer unions” and demanded justice for “landless, Dalit farm labourers,” stating that Jats could only display their prowess “in films and songs” and were not the “real Sikhs.”

Ranghreta was arrested after another social media influencer, Sukhwinder Singh, a former Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) from Dharamkot in Moga, who runs a Facebook page by the name of “X PP Sukhwinder Singh,” filed a complaint alleging that Ranghreta wrote derogatory remarks against “daughters, sisters, and women” of the Jat Sikh community on his post.

A resident of Shimalpuri in Ludhiana, Ranghreta was booked under sections 354, 294, 509, 506 of the IPC, and sections 67, 67 (A) of the Information Technology Act in an FIR registered at Shimlapuri police station based on the former cop’s complaint. He is currently in judicial remand and lodged in jail.

Ranghreta introduces himself as “Ranghreta, Guru da beta,” in reference to Sikh history. The community holds significance in Sikh history as it is believed that Bhai Jaita Singh, a Mazhabi Sikh, had voluntarily carried the head of the ninth Sikh master Guru Teg Bahadur from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib in his hands after the Guru was executed and beheaded by the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh had then given him the title of “Ranghreta, Guru ka beta.”

Ranghreta was earlier Dr Gurinder Singh Atwal and calls self “Ranghreta Guru da beta”. (Express Photo)

Ranghreta, previously known as Dr. Gurinder Singh Atwal, claims to be a qualified ayurvedic practitioner (BAMS) and had opened Sat Sahib Charitable Hospital in Preet Nagar, Ludhiana, where he treated the elderly free of cost. He was also an office-bearer of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Dharamkot-based former cop Sukhwinder Singh, who had taken voluntary retirement from Punjab Police, also a locally known social worker, had recently come out in support of arrested Bhana Sidhu and attended the rally in his favour in Barnala. In his Facebook live posts, the ex-cop said that he filed a complaint against Ranghreta after he had made extremely inappropriate remarks against his daughter, which he could not tolerate at any cost. After Ranghreta’s arrest, the ex-cop also issued an appeal to his followers not to post any abusive comments against the former’s daughter.

Ludhiana ACP (Industrial Area-B) Sandeep Wadhera clarified that Ranghreta was not an MBBS doctor but used to deliver motivational talks to depressed individuals. Wadhera mentioned, “Earlier, some daily diary reports (DDRs) were registered against him for making derogatory remarks against the general category and Jat Sikh community, but this is the first FIR registered against him. There was a social media clash between him and the ex-cop, which snowballed. They kept indulging in such spats to increase their followers and gain popularity,” said the ACP.

However, Ranghreta’s arrest has sparked debates among Sikhs on social media regarding the prevalence of the caste system in Sikhism. Some are ‘demanding justice’ for Ranghreta, claiming he has been framed for raising his voice for the downtrodden. Others appreciate the police action against him for his alleged remarks against women. Some also allege that Ranghreta was attempting to disturb Punjab’s peace by drawing a line within the Sikh community.

While speaking to the media in police custody, Ranghreta asserted, “My voice is being muzzled as I am a Mazhabi Sikh. My voice for the oppressed cannot be suppressed. If my community doesn’t wake up now and doesn’t support me, there will be none left to speak. Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat.” He also claimed that the remarks leading to the complaint were not posted from his account.

Once a clean-shaven man with short hair, Ranghreta later grew a beard and started wearing a turban, claiming he was going ‘back to Sikhi’. He also served as the chairman of the International Mazhabi Sikh Association.