Jaipur, Aug 5 — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha President and National Convener of the Sant Ravidas Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan, Lal Singh Arya, on Wednesday accused the Congress of neglecting the legacy of social reformers and national icons, asserting that while the Congress "worships Nehru and Indira Gandhi", the BJP celebrates personalities such as Sant Ravidas, B.R. Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, and Ahilyabai Holkar.
Arya made the remarks while addressing a state-level programme in Jaipur organised as part of the Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan, being held to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore were also present at the event.
"Sant Ravidas is a symbol of our faith and reverence, which is why we celebrate his birth anniversary. But when the Congress is in power, it neither remembers Sant Ravidas nor Maharishi Valmiki, nor does it truly honour B.R. Ambedkar," Arya said.
Drawing a political contrast, the BJP SC Morcha President added, "You worship Nehru and Indira Gandhi. That is the difference between your ideology and ours. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, we celebrate the birth anniversaries of Birsa Munda, Sant Ravidas and Ahilyabai Holkar as part of India's tradition of social harmony."
During the programme, Chief Minister Sharma flagged off 'Raj Kalash Raths' carrying sacred soil urns to all 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of Rajasthan as part of the campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Rajasthan BJP President Rathore alleged that over the years, the contributions of several Indian saints and historical figures were gradually removed from educational discourse.
Recalling his school days, Rathore said that when he was in Class 7 in 1967, the teachings and couplets of Sant Ravidas were part of the school curriculum.
He claimed that later changes in the education system reduced the emphasis on India's cultural and historical icons.
Rajasthan BJP President also alleged that successive historical narratives failed to adequately highlight India's heritage and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring focus on national icons and promoting cultural nationalism through education.
He said the 'Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan' will continue across the country until Sant Ravidas Jayanti on February 20, 2027.
Chief Minister Sharma said that Rajasthan has a deep historical association with Sant Ravidas and that the Sant Ravidas Panorama developed in Chittorgarh would help introduce the saint's teachings to younger generations.
Referring to welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister added that the Central government is providing free foodgrains to nearly 800 million beneficiaries, inspired by the ideals of social harmony.
He said that the Rajasthan government has connected around 10 million people with food security schemes.
Urging young people to follow the teachings of Sant Ravidas, Chief Minister Sharma called upon them to contribute actively towards the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).