Special Report: Dera Sacha Sauda leads massive body donation movement; thousands of bodies, eyes, kidneys donated to Medical colleges
Ashok Verma
Bathinda (Punjab), August 16, 2025: Followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, have transformed the landscape of medical research by prioritizing body donation, ensuring that medical colleges no longer face shortages of cadavers for training and research. In fact, some institutions now have more bodies than they can accept, with surplus donations being sent to states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. Since January 2002 — when rationalist leader Krishan Bargari became the first body donor in North India — the movement has grown exponentially.
Dera followers have so far donated about 2,500 bodies, including that of a 10-month-old child in May 2025. Around 1.5 lakh followers have pledged to donate their bodies, with Malwa region leading the initiative.
Bathinda has emerged as a major hub, donating 125 bodies to medical institutions, while Barnala’s Mahal Kalan block and Sangrur city are also at the forefront. Aadesh Medical College alone has received over six dozen bodies from Bathinda district devotees.
Beyond body donation, Dera followers have contributed over 18,000 pairs of eyes and pledged 57,000 kidney donations (while alive), all inspired by their Guru, Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Rationalist leaders, including Gagan Grover of the Rational Society, say the movement is helping dispel superstitions about ghosts after death and encouraging scientific thinking. Organizations like Pingalwara in Amritsar and Left groups are also contributing to this cause.
“This initiative brings light to the lives of the visually impaired and hope to the medical community,” said Grover, urging Punjabis to embrace organ and body donation.