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News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
Why A Mega Dalit Outreach Is Part Of BJP's Plan For Poll-Bound Bihar From June 20
Last Updated: Caste arithmetic and an unfavourable result in the elections last year have prompted the party to take steps to win the poll battle The BJP has decided to go all out to woo Dalits of poll-bound Bihar, even before seat-sharing talks have begun among the NDA constituents for the upcoming election. Starting June 20, the party will target the Ravidas community by organising the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Sammelan-cum-honour ceremony in Bihar. Sant Ravidas, a 15th-century Bhakti saint, is a significant figure in the Dalit community and is widely recognised as a Dalit icon. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated Ravidas' 647th birth anniversary in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. Now, with Bihar election around the corner, BJP has decided to hold such conclaves in different districts and created a schedule for that. News18 has learnt that BJP has fixed conclave dates for Begusarai on June 20, Samastipur on June 22, Madhubani on June 25, Bagaha and Bhagalpur on June 29, Saharsa on June 30, Muzaffarpur and Siwan on July 6, Darbhanga on July 7, Gaya on July 13, Banka on July 16, Arwal on July 18, Khagaria and Sitamarhi on July 20 and Gopalganj on July 31, which will be the season finale. There will also be a special conclave through which Dalit outreach efforts will be made in Bihar's capital Patna though the date for it is not yet finalised. The party wants the Patna conclave to be a show-stopper with big names in attendance, and hence, the date will depend on their availability, say BJP sources. But why the focus on Dalits? Sources in the know suggest there are two reasons behind it. One is pure caste arithmetic. Though the Ravidas community constitutes just 5 per cent of Bihar's voters, if the total Dalit pie in Bihar is taken into consideration, the number jumps to 19 per cent. While BJP is confident about upper castes and OBC support of a few, JDU too brings OBC strengths. Even NDA's smaller allies like Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha can influence OBC votes. Only former Bihar CM Jitin Ram Majhi's Hindustan Awam Morcha-Secular(HAM-S) and LJP (RV) Chirag Paswan have limited sway over those known as the backwards. The second reason stems from an unfavourable experience in last year's Lok Sabha election when the BJP-led NDA lost nine Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, NDA won 39 seats while in 2024, it managed to win 30. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the situation was even more grim. The BJP-led NDA lost a whopping 28 seats. Later, BJP went on record to accept that Congress managed to twist BJP's '400 paar' campaign slogan as fear mongering among Dalit voters, suggesting their reservation rights are on the line. This worked against the BJP in the two Hindi heartland states. Since June 4 last year, when the results were declared, BJP has taken corrective measures to win the narrative war. However, the party feels that with no big alliance partner that has a solid grip among the Dalit community, the outreach is the best way forward. Sources in the BJP say the plan to carpet-bomb the Ravidas Sammelans was conceived in mid-May when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Bihar Police stopped him on his way to Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, adding that 'they could not stop me because your power (minority community) is watching over me". Back then, Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal had hit out at Gandhi, saying: 'He should use his mind. If he had to use a government building or hostel, he should have sent an official itinerary. He is the Leader of Opposition and a state president of a party has to teach this?" However, it is learnt that this visit may have worked as a catalyst for the state BJP to pre-emptively launch a mega Dalit outreach, having learnt its lessons last year. First Published: June 04, 2025, 10:29 IST
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Caste, economic inequalities must end for India to develop, says Yogi
India can become a truly developed nation only by ending caste and economic inequalities, said chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Ayodhya on Saturday. Adityanath was in the temple town to inaugurate the new 'Satsang Bhawan' of the Sant Ravidas temple, which has also been renovated. Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said: 'Ayodhya was neglected after independence. But today, this city of the Suryavansh is emerging as the country's first solar city and creating a new identity for itself.' 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India draws inspiration from Sant Ravidas, whose dream of a just and inclusive society forms the foundation of true national progress,' the CM added. 'Only by ending caste and economic inequalities, India can become truly developed.' Recalling the medieval period, Adityanath stated when Sanatan Dharma was under threat during foreign invasions, it was Sant Ravidas in Kashi who guided the society towards unity and harmony. 'He challenged hollow rituals and superstitions and placed karma (action) above all. 'Main changa to kathauti mein Ganga' (if the mind is pure, than the Ganga can be found in a small bowl) is relevant even today,' said the CM. On the occasion, the CM also spoke about the ongoing development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He said over the last 10 years, Seer Govardhan in Kashi had been beautifully restored, and now similar efforts were transforming Ayodhya. He highlighted the construction of four-lane roads, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, a food distribution center named after Mata Shabari, a rest house named after Nishad Raj, and the beautification of Ram Ki Paidi and Saryu Ghat in Ayodhya. Adityanath assured saints from the Pasi community, Kabir Math, and Rajak community of the government's commitment to inclusive development. Among the prominent people present were Mahant Banwari Pati Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of Sant Ravidas Ji Temple, general secretary of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust Champat Rai, mayor Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi, Yogi Balknath Ji Maharaj, and Ramanujdas Ji Maharaj. 'No compromise on quality of dev projects' Stressing on their timely execution, the chief minister directed officials to complete all development projects within deadlines without compromising standards. He also issued specific instructions to maintain law and order and strengthen security, given Ayodhya's rising prominence. Underscoring his commitment to Ayodhya's transformation, CM called for regular monitoring of all projects and swift action wherever delays or issues arise. The meeting was attended by MLAs, the city mayor, the divisional commissioner, the district magistrate and other senior officials in the district.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP reinforced Ayodhya's identity after decades of neglect: Yogi
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that Ayodhya was neglected completely after Independence, but the BJP govt ensured that its identity as the capital of Suryavansh was re-established."PM Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India is progressing with inspiration from Sant Ravidas . Sant Ravidas envisioned a society where everyone has access to food and lives in harmony, which aligns with the PM's vision for a developed nation. Our country will become developed when we unite to eliminate caste and economic disparities," the CM said after inaugurating the beautification work of the ancient Sant Ravidas temple and the newly constructed Satsang Sant Ravidas as a revered saint of the medieval Bhakti tradition, the CM said that he awakened social consciousness through a work-centric system and strongly raised his voice against social discrepancies. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar Recalling the medieval period, Yogi said when foreign invaders posed a threat to Sanatan Dharma, it was Sant Ravidas who raised awareness for social unity."He challenged hollow rituals and superstitions and placed karma (action) above all. Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga (If your mind is pure, the divine is present even in the simplest of places) remains relevant even today", CM a one-day visit to Ayodhya, the CM also took part in a community meal and received prasad along with the saints. He said, "A new Ayodhya is taking shape, and today this process has been further strengthened with the beautification of Sant Ravidas temple and the inauguration of Satsang Bhawan."Yogi said that like the transformation of Seer Govardhan in Varanasi under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Ayodhya too was being developed on a grand scale. He mentioned that projects like four-lane roads in Ayodhya, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, a food area named after Mata Shabari, a rest house named after Nishad Raj, development of Ayodhya as a solar city, and the beautification of Ram Ki Paidi and Saryu Ghat were steps in that CM assured the seers of the Pasi community, Kabir Math, and Rajak community that govt is committed to bringing all sections together for building a self-reliant and developed India. He said that when one works towards fulfilling their duties towards the nation, solutions to all problems would be possible. "We must prioritise the country with the spirit of 'Nation First' to build a prosperous India by following the ideals of Sant Ravidas and Lord Ram," he said.
