In his last Lok Sabha election rally in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, PM Modi invokes Guru Ravidas

Punjab goes to polls on June 1 in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Union minister Som Parkash’s wife Anita is the BJP candidate from Hoshiarpur, a reserved Lok Sabha constituency with a 34 per cent Dalit population, a majority of whom belong to the Ravidassia and Valmiki communities.

Beginning his address by paying respect to Goddesses Chintpurni and Nayanadevi and Guru Gobind Singh, Modi referred to Hoshiarpur as “small Kashi”. “This is the land of Guru Ravidas Ji. Just as I am a Member of Parliament from Kashi, Guru Ravidas was born there. It is a great fortune for me that the election campaign is concluding in Hoshiarpur,” PM Modi said.

Guru Ravidas, who was born in Varanasi, has a massive following in Punjab as he stayed in the state for a long duration. The Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts are a hub of the Ravidassia community, an important vote bank.

Comparing the works of his government with the ideology of Guru Ravidas, PM Modi said, “Guru Ravidas ji said ‘I desire a state where everyone gets food’. In the past 10 years, we have provided free food and treatment to the poorest of the poor. Today, no poor mother or woman has to sleep hungry. Similarly, illnesses are not hidden anymore. They have ration cards and Ayushman cards.”

He added, “Guru Ravidas ji wanted a society where there is no discrimination. The benefits of Modi government schemes are reaching everyone without any discrimination. Everyone has got a pucca house, gas connection, and electricity connection. Such schemes have given the poor the right to live with dignity.”

“Guru Ravidas ji also said that even if you have a lifespan of 100 years, you should work throughout your life as that work is worship. This sentiment reflects in our government. Even during the election, our government is not wasting a single moment. A roadmap has been prepared for the next 125 days,” PM Modi said, adding that out of 125 days, 25 days will be dedicated to the youth and plans have been made for major decisions. “It is a privilege of the BJP government that we got the opportunity to honour things related to Guru Ravidas,” Modi added.

PM Modi also pointed out that he had got the opportunity to work in Varanasi, the birthplace of Guru Ravidas. “From building temples to roads, everything is being done so that you don’t face any inconvenience when you visit there. I am a Member of Parliament from Kashi, so whenever you come there, you are my guest. I don’t hold back in hospitality,” he said.

Saying he was fortunate to lay the foundation stone of Guru Ravidas’s memorial in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi also said that there were efforts to promote a place in Tughlakabad, Delhi which was associated with the Guru.

PM Modi also wooed the Valmiki and Sikh communities. “Today, I am in Hoshiarpur, so I am sharing my thoughts with you. After 500 years, the Ram temple has been built in Ayodhya. If someone had first fought for the temple, it was the Sikh brothers. Then the temple was built. The Ayodhya airport is named after Valmiki ji. So, the airport in Adampur will also be named after the Guru. Work will be done rapidly for this after the government is formed. During the crisis in Afghanistan, we brought the ‘Swaroop’ (copies) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with complete reverence. A decision has been taken to celebrate the day in memory of the young Sahibzadas,” he said.

PM Modi also hit out at the Opposition INDIA bloc, saying it has caused a lot of damage to the country. “During the Partition, Congress could not claim its right on Kartarpur Sahib. Due to vote bank politics, Congress kept opposing the construction of the Ram temple. Nowadays, they talk about protecting the Constitution. They are the ones who damaged the Constitution during Emergency in 1975. Sikhs were massacred in 1984. Where was the constitution when tyres were put around the necks of Sikh brothers who were burnt brutally,” the PM asked.

He also accused the Opposition of trying to divide the country based on religion through reservation. “Modi will not let reservations end. Their intentions regarding reservations are dangerous. They will take away the reservation of SCs, STs, and OBCs and give it to Muslims. In this election of 2024, Modi has revealed their plan,” the PM said.

PM Modi also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “Congress has a PhD in corruption. Now, a radical party has also joined hands with Congress. They are claiming to fight face-to-face here, while they are together in Delhi. They used to say that they would make Punjab drug-free…but they turned drugs into their source of income. Here, the mining mafia is also running rampant. They pushed Punjab into gang wars. They ruined both industry and agriculture. They are becoming number one in oppressing women. Their policies are fake, their slogans are also fake,” Modi said.

“Punjab is the land of brave warriors and valour. But the INDIA alliance insulted it. These are the same people who demanded proof of surgical strikes. Congress and the INDIA alliance are leaving no stone unturned to weaken our armed forces,” he added.

Speaking about the Indian Army – several people from Hoshiarpur have joined the armed forces – PM Modi accused the Congress of not delivering on its One Rank One Pension scheme promise for ex-servicemen for 40 years. “Punjab and Himachal are the land of soldiers. When I was declared the Prime Minister candidate in 2013, I talked about giving One Rank One Pension in Rewari, but the Congress lied and said that they have done One Rank One Pension with just Rs 500 crore while we could do it by depositing Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the account of ex-servicemen,” Modi said.

“Don’t force me to open my mouth; if necessary, I will expose your seven generations,” Modi said, alleging that the Congress insulted Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat. “They did not allow the upgradation and modernisation of the armed forces. No matter how much they curse me, Modi will not tolerate disrespect of the Army,” he added.

PM Modi said that people have decided to vote for a Modi government for the third time. “After decades, a government with an absolute majority is about to achieve a hat-trick. Today, every Indian is connected to the dream of a developed India. Therefore, every citizen is blessing us. I said from the Red Fort that the 21st century will be India’s century. When we go abroad, people see how much respect India has gained. When there is a strong government in the country, even foreign governments acknowledge our strength. Who better than Punjab, the land of warriors, to understand this?” he said.

Urging voters to break records by turning up to vote in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Modi said, “I have come to seek cooperation from you to let a lotus bloom in all seats of Punjab.”