How BJP is using Maha Kumbh for outreach to Dalits, OBCs: Yogi’s ‘Samta’ pitch to Modi poster

CM Adityanath has called the Maha Kumbh a “Samajik Samta ka Mahaparva (a great festival of social equality)”. His government has also released some posters to mark the Maha Kumbh, which are related to this message. One of them carries a picture of a bronze statue of Lord Ram with Nishad Raj at the recently-inaugurated Nishad Raj Park at Prayagraj’s Sringverpur. Another official poster features a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleaning feet of sanitation workers during the 2019 Kumbh held at Prayagraj.

“With all the castes and sections uniting to experience the culture of Sanatan Dharma at Maha Kumbh by taking bath at Sangam (the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati), what could be a bigger example of Samajik Samta. Yogi ji had already given the call to everyone to unite and not get divided,” said a BJP leader. “Our government has given respect and importance to the Nishad king by installing his grand statue with Lord Ram at Shringverpur and this is what is being highlighted,” he said.

NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad is a minister in the Adityanath Cabinet, with his party going all out to strengthen its own hold over the Nishad community.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP suffered a blow in UP (80 seats) as it could manage to win just 33 seats as against the Samajwadi Party (SP)’s 37 seats. The BJP’s setback was attributed to the “shift” of sections of Dalits and OBCs to the Opposition INDIA bloc led by the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP in the state.

BJP insiders said the party’s bid to woo Dalits and Nishads would also be significant in view of the crucial February 5 bypoll in the Milkipur Assembly constituency in Ayodhya, where apart from Dalits and Brahmins, Nishads also have a significant presence.

On Tuesday, Adityanath said that about 3.5 crore people took a dip at the Sangam on the day of the first Amrit Snan or Shahi Snan (royal bath) on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, describing the Maha Kumbh as “Ashtha, Samta aur Ekta ka Mahasamagam” (A grand confluence of faith, equality and unity).

Sources said that the Adityanath government has also upgraded its initiative, experimented at the 2019 Kumbh, to start primary schools for over 15,000 sanitation staff working at the Maha Kumbh.

On December 13 last year, PM Modi had visited Prayagraj to launch various projects related to the Maha Kumbh, during which he called the event a “Mahayagya of unity”. He had then called Prayagraj the “land of Nishad Raj”. Inaugurating the Nishad Raj Park, Modi had highlighted the “divine friendship” of Lord Ram and Nishad Raj, saying their new statue will “serve as a timeless reminder of equality and harmony for future generations”.

The PM had then also praised sanitation workers, recalling how during the 2019 Kumbh he had expressed his gratitude towards them by washing their feet. “The satisfaction and fulfilment I felt while performing this gesture remain a cherished and unforgettable experience in my life,” he had said.