Lucknow. Ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh and Punjab Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its political and social outreach among the Dalit community. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, BJP National President Nitin Naveen and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the birthplace of Saint Ravidas in Varanasi. From there, sacred soil in 131 urns will be sent to sites associated with Saint Ravidas across the country.
Political analysts believe that this event is not only a symbol of religious faith but also part of a strategy to convey a strong message to the Dalit community, especially the Ravidasi community. This is the first time the BJP is organizing an event of this scale on the occasion of Guru Purnima. The
event, to be held at the Sant Ravidas Temple complex in Varanasi, will convey the message of social harmony, saintly traditions, and respect for the Dalit community. The BJP leadership will also address a public meeting during the event.
Soil in 131 urns, the campaign will reach the entire country
Soil from the birthplace of Saint Ravidas will be filled in 131 urns and transported to locations where he lived, lived, or had spiritual connections. The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to launch this nationwide social outreach campaign.
Ravidasi community is influential in these areas of UP
In Uttar Pradesh, the Ravidas community (including Chamar/Jatav subgroups who follow the Ravidasi tradition) is particularly influential in Varanasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Basti, Agra, Aligarh, Meerut, Saharanpur, and several districts in western Uttar Pradesh. Dalit voters are in a position to influence electoral outcomes in many assembly constituencies. This is why all major parties periodically support the saint.
He has been actively participating in events related to Ravidas.
Along with UP, the Bharatiya Janata Party is also eyeing Punjab.
The Ravidasi community is considered to have significant influence in the Doaba region of Punjab, particularly in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Nawanshahr (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar). Assembly elections are scheduled in both Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in 2027. Through this event, the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to convey a common message to the Dalit community in both states.
Nitin Naveen’s first big electoral test
The Uttar Pradesh and Punjab assembly elections are considered the first major political test for Nitin Naveen after becoming the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. As such, the organization is also working on a strategy to strengthen its support base through social and cultural programs.
Eye on the political chessboard of 2027
Political analysts believe that the Bharatiya Janata Party no longer wants to limit itself to traditional election rallies, but is also attempting to expand its reach to diverse communities through social and cultural symbols. This campaign, which begins at the birthplace of Saint Ravidas, is being seen as a major political strategy for the BJP in the 2027 election environment, although the party has described it as a program of social harmony and cultural respect.