Balmiki
Balmiki is a prominent Dalit community of the state of Punjab in India. A Panjabi community venerating Valmiki, was a movement of Hindu/Sikh origin that gives enhanced identity to devotees of chuhra (sweeper) status in the caste hierarchy.
Balmikis revere both the Ramayana and Adi Granth, celebrating both Gurpurbs and Hindu festivals, especially the birthday (in October) of Valmiki. In Britain there are temples in Coventry, Bedford, Southall, and Brimingham. Balmiki leaders in Britain have their preferred spelling of Valmiki'.
Background
Most Balimikis are from the Chura caste, although through their faith they reject the caste system. Maharishi Valmiki Himself was a Kirata Bhil. Chura is an occupation and is therefore used as a derogatory term to describe the Valmiki community.
Valmikis is the name given to those devotees that follow the teachings of Bhagwan Valmik as portrayed in the Yoga-Vasistha and the Ramayana, both works written by the Maharishi Valmiki.
'Balmiki' and not 'Valmiki' is often the preferred way of spelling by people from the state of Punjab.
Today this sect exists mostly in the countries of India and Pakistan. However in the latter it is having a hard time because temples are being bulldozed by the government.
Followers of Sage Valmiki
Like the Ravidasi (followers of Guru Raidas) and the Kabir Panthis (followers of Kabir), the Balmikis believe that Sage Valmiki was the avatar of God, and they uphold his work, the Ramayana as their holy scripture.
Note
From where sarabloh copyright comes here. This article with thanks to Wikipedia. Sarabloh what a publicity stunt.
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