Guru Ravidas' teachings inspire BJP's welfare activities: G Kishan Reddy

Union Minister links welfare work to Ravidas's ideals

Speaking at the 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj at Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on Sunday, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was moving forward through welfare activities and devotion, inspired by Guru Ravidas's teachings. As reported by ANI, Reddy told reporters that the BJP is organising programmes across the country to mark the anniversary and that the government, under Modi's leadership, is "continuously serving the nation's poor."

Reddy also invoked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Sant Ravidas in the context of the Centre's decision to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies. According to Deccan Chronicle, he said this "historic" decision was being obstructed by the Opposition, which he said went against the ideals of both Ambedkar and Ravidas.

Achievements and Ambedkar's example

Reddy, who attended as chief guest at the Hyderabad event, praised Ravidas as a "towering figure" who worked to bring social awakening and equality through the Bhakti movement, according to Deccan Chronicle. He cited Ambedkar's life to emphasise that greatness is not determined by birth, caste, or wealth, but through thought, action, and social service.

He said the Centre under Modi was governing with the spirit of Ravidas's ideals and the mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas." Deccan Chronicle reported that he cited several welfare achievements over the past 11 years, including lifting about 25 crore people out of poverty, constructing over 12 crore toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, providing drinking water through the Har Ghar Jal scheme, completing 4 crore houses under the PM Awas Yojana, and providing free rice and healthcare for crores of poor families.

Delhi CM joins the commemoration

In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in the "Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan and Pavitra Maati Kalash Distribution" programme at Talkatora Stadium on Monday (August 24), as reported by Lokmat Times. She paid respects to Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas on his 650th birth anniversary and said that taking his teachings to every person is the "true resolve" of social harmony.

Gupta said the Samrasta Sankalp Yatra, which began from Varanasi, has now reached Delhi and will travel to all districts of the city. She stated that the campaign was launched in line with the leadership and vision of PM Modi, and that the sacred soil from the kalash symbolises Ravidas's thoughts, social work, and guidance to humanity.

She said the essence of Ravidas's teachings is that no one in society is lesser or greater than another, and every person should have equal opportunities and respect. She invoked Modi's mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas" and said the Delhi government is working based on these values and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities and respect for every individual. The remarks were made in the presence of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, BJP SC Morcha national president Shivesh Kumar Ram, BJP national vice-president Lal Singh, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, and former national general secretary Dushyant Gautam, according to Lokmat Times.