PM Modi to Visit Dera Ballan on Ravidas Jayanti; Tight Security

February 1, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar district, Punjab, today to mark the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, a revered 15th‑century social reformer whose teachings emphasise equality and human dignity. It will be the Prime Minister’s first visit to Punjab since September last year and comes amid significant preparations by authorities.

Massive Security Deployment After Threat Emails

In anticipation of the high‑profile visit, authorities have deployed around 8,000 police personnel from 26 districts to guard the venue and surrounding areas. The tight security follows threatening emails received by several schools in Jalandhar a day before the visit; these messages referenced the Prime Minister and warned of potential danger, though no suspicious objects were found during thorough searches by anti‑sabotage teams.

Visit Schedule and Ceremonial Events

Prime Minister Modi is expected to land at Adampur Air Force Base around 3:45 pm, where he will unveil a plaque renaming Adampur Airport as Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport and inaugurate the new Halwara Airport terminal via video conferencing. He will then proceed by helicopter to the dera, where he will offer floral tributes to Guru Ravidas and Sant Sarwan Dass, perform religious rites, and address the gathering. A helipad and extensive logistical arrangements have been prepared for the event, and security drills conducted with involvement from the IAF and Special Protection Group.

Context and Local Significance

The visit holds cultural and social significance, especially for the Ravidassia and Dalit communities in Punjab, for whom Dera Sachkhand Ballan is a major spiritual centre. The renaming of the airport and the centennial celebration of Guru Ravidas’s birth anniversary are viewed as gestures of respect for the saint’s legacy and message of social harmony and inclusion. Authorities have also declared a no‑flying zone in parts of Jalandhar during the Prime Minister’s movement, and senior police officials have personally overseen security preparations.