Politics – BJP Launches Nationwide Campaign to Mark 650th Birth Anniversary of Sant Ravidas
Politics – The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to begin a nationwide outreach campaign to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas Maharaj, with a series of religious, cultural and social programmes aimed at promoting his enduring ideals of equality, dignity and social unity.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will formally launch its ‘Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’ on Wednesday as part of a nationwide initiative dedicated to the 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Ravidas Maharaj. The campaign, planned under the direction of the party’s national leadership, will continue until February 20, coinciding with Magha Purnima. Through various events, the BJP seeks to highlight the saint’s teachings on social justice, equality and communal harmony while expanding public awareness of his legacy across Punjab and other parts of the country.
Campaign Begins With Statewide Religious Events
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon announced that the first phase of the campaign will begin with the Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Samrasta Deep Mahotsav. As part of this programme, lamps will be illuminated at Guru Ravidas temples throughout Punjab. Devotional songs, spiritual discourses, cultural performances and community langars have also been planned to mark the opening of the campaign.
According to party leaders, the inaugural events are intended to encourage participation from local communities while celebrating the spiritual and social contributions of Sant Ravidas Maharaj in a peaceful and inclusive manner.
Sacred Kalash Journey to Cover Punjab
Following the opening celebrations, the BJP will organise the Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Kalash Vandan Abhiyan between July 29 and September 10. During this phase, a sacred Kalash carrying holy soil collected from Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s birthplace at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi will travel across different districts of Punjab.
The ceremonial procession will visit Guru Ravidas temples before the Kalash is respectfully handed over to these religious institutions. Party leaders believe the initiative will strengthen the cultural connection between devotees and the birthplace of the revered saint.
Outreach to Saints and Religious Institutions
Another important component of the campaign will be the Sant Sampark Abhiyan, which will continue until August 31. Under this programme, BJP leaders and party workers will visit saints and spiritual leaders associated with the Guru Ravidas tradition to seek their blessings and engage with religious communities.
The outreach programme is expected to reinforce the campaign’s focus on social harmony while encouraging dialogue with respected spiritual figures connected to Sant Ravidas’s teachings.
Yatra and Student Engagement Planned
The BJP has also announced the Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Samrasta Yatra, scheduled from October 5 to November 5. The journey will begin at Dera Sach Khand Ballan in Jalandhar and conclude at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi, carrying forward the message of equality, national unity and social inclusion associated with Sant Ravidas Maharaj.
Later in the campaign, from November 26 to January 15, 2027, the party will organise the Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Chhatrawas Sampark Abhiyan. This initiative will feature interactive programmes in student hostels, where discussions will focus on Sant Ravidas’s philosophy and its relevance to the vision of a developed India.
State-Level Committee Formed for Coordination
To oversee the implementation of the campaign across Punjab, the BJP has constituted a state-level coordination committee headed by Jagmohan Singh Raju, the party’s General Secretary in the state.
The committee also includes former legislators Avinash Chander, Sheetal Angural and Ravi Inder Kahlon, along with former IAS officer S.R. Ladhar, Renu Kashyap and Bhanu Partap. The panel has been tasked with coordinating events, ensuring smooth execution of programmes and facilitating participation across different regions during the months-long campaign.