In a significant development ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a ₹100-crore temple dedicated to the revered social reformer Sant Ravidas. This temple project holds deep cultural and historical significance and is poised to be a symbol of reverence and unity. PM Modi’s visit to the Sagar district, where the temple is set to be constructed, is especially notable as this will be his second visit to the poll-bound state in just over a month.
The temple’s foundation stone-laying ceremony is set to take place in the Badtuma area of Sagar district. Prime Minister Modi is expected to reach the location via a helicopter, after arriving in Khajuraho from New Delhi. Following the foundation stone ceremony, he will proceed to a public meeting near the Dhana airstrip, situated approximately 20 kilometers from Badtuma. The ceremony and the public gathering hold immense importance, both symbolically and politically.
Arvind Bhadoria, the Minister of MP Cooperative and Public Services, shared insights into the Prime Minister’s visit. He emphasized, “Modiji will arrive in Khajuraho from New Delhi and take a helicopter to reach the Badtuma area in Sagar district around 2 pm to lay the foundation stone for a temple (dedicated to Sant Ravidas) and a museum coming up at a cost of ₹100 crore.” Bhadoria, who is also the guardian minister of Sagar district, highlighted the significance of this event for the region.
The event holds additional political significance as it signifies the culmination of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘Samrasta Yatras,’ a series of initiatives aimed at fostering harmony and engagement with Dalit communities in the lead-up to the assembly elections. The BJP is expecting a substantial turnout of up to 2 lakh people at the Prime Minister’s rally and the foundation laying ceremony for the Sant Ravidas temple. Sant Ravidas holds a revered place in the hearts of many, particularly among a section of Dalits.
यह हमारा सौभाग्य रहा है कि हमें सौहार्दपूर्ण और समृद्ध समाज की प्रेरणा देने वाले संत रविदास जी की विरासत को संजोने और संवारने का अवसर मिला है। इसी कड़ी में कल दोपहर बाद मध्य प्रदेश की अपनी यात्रा के दौरान सागर और धाना में उनके स्मारक स्थलों के निर्माण से जुड़े कार्यक्रमों में… https://t.co/nQlv5DAeQe
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 11, 2023
The ‘Samrasta Yatras’ commenced on July 25 from different parts of the state, with participants collecting soil from 53,000 villages and water from 315 water bodies, including sacred rivers, symbolizing unity and inclusivity. These yatras hold immense symbolic value and have been an integral part of the BJP’s outreach strategy to connect with the Dalit community, making a significant impact in the upcoming elections.
Madhya Pradesh, with 35 assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes out of the total 230, is a critical battleground for political parties aiming to secure their foothold. In the previous elections, the BJP won 18 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, while the Congress secured 17. The BJP’s efforts to consolidate its support base among Dalits are evident, and the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Sant Ravidas temple stands as a testament to this commitment.
