Ad-Dharm

Ad-Dharm

Ad-Dharm is an alternative term for the Ravidasi religion, meaning Primal Spiritual Path. The term Ad-Dharmi is used by many dalits as a self motivation instead of using their caste name which considers them untouchables. The term Ad-Dharm came into popular usage in the early part of the 20th century when many followers of Ravidas converted to Sikhism and were severely discriminated against due to their low catse status (even though the Sikh religion is strictly against the caste system). Many of these converts stopped attending Sikh Gurdwaras owned or run by Jat “Sikhs,” and built their own on arrival to the UK. The building of separate Ravidasi temples paved the way for the Shri Guru Ravidas Mission London to formally organise the Ad-Dharm community based on the tradition which had been passed down from Raidas, who was himself a famous Chamar.