Fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the high-profile Lok Sabha seat Gorakhpur, Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan is getting wide media attention. Though the actor faces criticism for being an outsider, he is quick to brush aside the tag, referring to his roots in Moomkhar village in Gorakhpur.

In an interview to Abdul Jadid, Ravi Kishan said he was lucky to have been selected as ‘chowkidar’ (guard) of the holy seat of Gorakshpeeth. Excerpts:

You are being labelled as an outsider by your political opponents. What do you have to say?

Many leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh have contested on seats from where they do not hail. I have to serve my country no matter from where do I contest. Such issue should have been raised if I had come from another country to contest elections. I am an Indian and belong to a village in Gorakhpur. This connection brought me here. People know I belong to the same soil. They know how I stood by development of Bhojpuri language and they are giving their love to me. Their excitement and energy is clearly evident in my rallies and road shows.

Many Bhojpuri artistes like Manoj Tiwari and Kajal Nishad have unsuccessfully tried their luck in polls from Gorakhpur. Where do you see yourself?

The situation is different this time. I have the blessings of chief minister Yogi Adityanath who is the head priest of Gorakshpeeth. Besides, I have the blessings of my parents and Bhole Nath (Lord Shiva). I am lucky to have been declared the candidate or ‘chowkidar’ of Gorakshpeeth which is the centre of devotion and faith for lakhs of Hindu devotees of east UP.

Your candidature from the chief minister’s seat came as a surprise. Have you been handpicked by the CM or party president Amit Shah?

I am a choice of the entire organisation but I have special blessings of Maharaj ji (Yogi Adityanath). Without his permission, no one can contest from this seat as it belongs to Gorakspeeth. However, my name was proposed and cleared by the entire organisation with the consent of the PM as well as the CM.

People of Gorakhpur are seeing a different Ravi Kishan who dons saffron attire and offers prayers in temples. Are you trying to push the party’s Hindutva agenda?

This has been my identity since long. Even during the Kumbh Mela, I performed ‘Shiv Tandav’. If you search the Internet, you will find pictures of my home where I can be seen blowing conch shell and worshipping deities. We are very religious people. Whenever I visit the sacred land of Baba Gorakhnath, how can I forget to attend religious discourses?

You have already spoken about setting up a film industry in Gorakhpur and inclusion of Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. Any other plan if you get elected?

The film industry in Gorakhpur will benefit the people a lot. Problems of everyday life will be sorted out once I get elected. I will live here and die here. I have already set up my office and residence here. I will serve people because service is the only ‘dharm’ (religion) I know.

When you were asked about gathbandhan (alliance), you had said that it would be ‘swaha’ (lose existence by burning up in yajna fire). How do you see your opponent, especially in Gorakhpur where you have direct fight with Nishad candidate of the alliance?

Let the result come. There is a fight of ideology but when you meet your opponent, you should respect them.

Also Read | Bhojpuri film city in Gorakhpur if BJP voted to power again: Ravi Kishan

First Published: Apr 25, 2019 12:56 IST