BJP calls for unity above caste, religion as Sant Ravidas Kalash Yatra reaches Vijayawada
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Andhra Pradesh president P.V.N. Madhav on Wednesday called for strengthening fraternity, equality and social unity by rising above caste and
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Andhra Pradesh president P.V.N. Madhav on Wednesday called for strengthening fraternity, equality and social unity by rising above caste and religious differences. He was speaking at a meeting at the BJP State office in Vijayawada after a Kalash Yatra carrying sacred urns from Varanasi as part of the 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Ravidas. Madhav said the sacred urns had been brought from the Kasi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and were being taken in procession to different parts of Andhra Pradesh to spread the message and teachings of Sant Ravidas.
“The objective of the yatra is to bring together all sections of society and strengthen the spirit of fraternity, equality and unity,” he said. Sant Ravidas had worked for social transformation through devotion, knowledge and spiritual teachings during the 14th century, when social discrimination and untouchability were prevalent, Mr. Madhav said. Sant Ravidas taught that God could not be confined to any particular caste or religion and that divinity should be recognised in every human being, he said. The inclusion of his compositions in the Guru Granth Sahib was a testimony to his spiritual influence, he added.
BJP SC Morcha State president Panatala Suresh said a major programme had been organised in Varanasi, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, from where the sacred urns were brought to Andhra Pradesh. The urns received a grand welcome in Vijayawada, he said. BJP State general secretary Saligrama Lakshmi Prasanna said the sacred urns would be taken to all mandals across the State and the message of Sant Ravidas would be widely disseminated among the people. Chief guest Shiva Swamy said Sant Ravidas, who lived around 650 years ago, conveyed the philosophy of God through devotional hymns.
His hymns contributed to social transformation and continued to inspire the present generation, he said. Twenty-Point Programme Implementation Committee chairman Lanka Dinakar, BJP State media in-charge Kilari Dileep, State protocol in-charge Pathuri Nagabhushanam, NTR district president Adduri Sriram and State spokesperson Darshanapu Srinivas were among those present.
The BriefWire