The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a seven-month nationwide outreach campaign to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas, one of India's most celebrated spiritual saints and social reformers.
The campaign will celebrate Guru Ravidas's teachings and legacy and promote his message of equality, social justice and harmony across the country.
According to party leaders, the campaign will be carried out in all the states and union territories through cultural, religious, educational and social activities. These activities will include seminars, public meetings, community service initiatives, devotional programs, exhibitions and awareness campaigns on the life and philosophies of Sant Guru Ravidas.
The BJP said its initiative seeks to take Guru Ravidas’s timeless message to all the people from all walks of life and the youth in particular. Party workers will organise events at a grassroots level and local communities, social groups and followers of Guru Ravidas have to be involved,” the BJP said.
Sant Guru Ravidas is considered a great person, and his devotional hymns are embedded in the Guru Granth Sahib and his teachings have inspired millions worldwide.
His vision of an ideal society (Begampura) of equality, suffering and treatment without discrimination is the most fundamental philosophy of our society.
The BJP leadership stated that the anniversary of Guru Ravidas' 650th birthday is not just to pay tribute to a great spiritual leader but also to honour him and to promote unity and national integration in India. They will meet scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and the Ravidas community and discuss the relevance of his teachings in the present context.
Several state units of the party are likely to organize special events at prominent religious places associated with Guru Ravidas. Cultural performances, essay competitions, youth engagement, and cleanliness drives could also be included in the nationwide celebration.
Political experts say the campaign also reflects the party’s efforts to build up outreach among those who revere Sant Guru Ravidas.
But BJP leaders have maintained that it is all about preserving and promoting the saint's spiritual and social legacy and not political messaging.
The campaign is expected to conclude in grand commemorative events to celebrate the completion of seven months. Also, we expect to see publications, documentaries and awareness materials on Guru Ravidas’ contributions to Indian society during this time.
Sant Guru Ravidas is a symbol in and of himself of devotion, equality and human dignity. His teachings still resonate with people in all parts of the world and inspire them to rise above social divisions and to work together for an inclusive society.
In this nationwide campaign, the BJP aims to honour his lasting legacy and motivate citizens to embrace the values of justice, compassion and unity for which he preached throughout his life.
