VARANASI: The 644th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas on Saturday saw Union oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav visiting Seer Goverdhanpur to offer prayers to the saint.
The celebrations had been toned down due to Covid protocol, but that did not deter political leaders from making a beeline to the temple at the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, who has a large following among dalits.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the first to reach Ravidas temple with BJP leaders to offer prayers. He also sat at the feet of Shri Guru Ravidas Janmasthal Charitable Trust’s chairman and head of All India Ravidasiya Dharm, Sant Niranjan Das, to seek his blessings.
“I delivered the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sant Niranjan Das after seeking his blessings. The PM’s work and efforts for making India self-reliant are inspired by Sant Ravidas,” Pradhan said.
He also visited shoemaker Lal Bahadur’s shop in Andhrapul area and tweeted, “Highly skilled in his craft, Lal Bahadur ji from the Ravidas community has been handcrafting comfortable, high-quality & genuine leather footwear for the last 40 years.”
Priyanka and Akhilesh also reached the Ravidas temple and offered prayers besides meeting Sant Niranjan Das and took prasad at langar.
Priyanka said the philosophy of Sant Ravidas teaches us to love, live together and serve each other which is the real dharma. There is no discrimination on the basis of caste and community.
“When the Covid crisis started and large-scale migration began with lockdown we opened community kitchens and got support from Ravidasia fraternity,” she added.
In his address at Ravidas temple, Akhilesh said his party is pledged to carry forward the philosophy of Sant Ravidas who was a great social reformer, revolutionary and independent thinker who strongly opposed social evils.
“The teachings of Sant Ravidas say serving humanity is the real dharma,” he added.
Apart from politicians, thousands of followers of Sant Ravidas thronged the temple, offered prayers