Leaders of the Chandigarh Akali Dal along with representatives of the Ravidassia sect condemned the announcement of a separate religion, Ravidassia Dharam.

Dera Sachkhand Ballan had announced a few days ago that a new religion would be formed, separate from Sikhism and the teachings of Guru Ravidass would be separated from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, president of the Chandigarh unit of Akali Dal, Gurnam Singh, termed it a conspiracy to create a divide in the Sikh religion.

He said the decision was not acceptable to the gurdwaras and deras in the city.

He added that the aim of a religion is to create unity among people and not divide them. Representatives of the sect from different gurdwaras in the city were also present on the occasion.