JAMMU: The Election Board of All J&K Guru Ravidass Sabha (GRDS) has commenced preparations for holding Sabha elections for the 2025-27 term as per the Sabha Constitution, announced Er. Darshan Kumar Kalsotra, Chairman of the Election Board, during a press briefing. Following the conclusion of the celebrations marking the 648th Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, the Election Board has officially started the election process for the positions of President and General Secretary of the Sabha.
Er. Kalsotra informed that fresh membership enrollment will begin soon, with membership booklets being distributed to branch heads through their respective Presidents and General Secretaries. The membership drive is set to be completed within three weeks, after which voter lists will be prepared. A General House meeting will then be convened to outline the next steps in accordance with the Sabha Constitution.
The entire election process is expected to be completed within three months from the issuance date of membership booklets. The Election Board has urged all Biradari members to actively participate in the membership drive to ensure fair and democratic elections for the Sabha leadership.
This marks the first Sabha election in a decade, with the last elections held in April 2015. Er. Kalsotra also informed that the civil and police administration have been notified, and assistance from authorities will be sought if needed for the smooth conduct of elections. It is noteworthy that on December 29, during a General Body meeting, an eight-year-long pending bipartite dispute was resolved through constitutional powers vested in the General House.
The General House removed the previously elected President and General Secretary (2015-17) and constituted an eleven-member Adhoc Committee to oversee daily operations and manage key events such as the Shoba Yatra on February 9 and the Prakash Utsav on February 12, both of which saw significant participation from the Ravidassia community and government representatives.
In addition to the Managing Committee of the Sabha, election board members present at the press conference included Pritam Dass Bangotra , Sham Lal Samyal, G.L. Atri, Dharamvir Sangral , and Co-opted members Dev Raj Thappa and Vijay Kumar.
