Anurag Thakur Invokes Sant Ravidas's Message of Equality
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur has paid tribute to 15th-century Bhakti saint Sant Ravidas, calling his message of equality and resistance to caste discrimination as relevant as ever and urging all of society to carry his teachings forward.
Key Takeaways
BJP MP Anurag Thakur posted a tribute to Sant Ravidas on X on 9 August 2026 .
Thakur called Sant Ravidas's message of equality and humanity 'as relevant today as ever.' Sant Ravidas was a 15th–16th century Bhakti poet from the Chamar community in Varanasi who opposed caste discrimination.
His compositions were included in the Guru Granth Sahib , reflecting his cross-community spiritual influence.
Thakur called spreading Ravidas's teachings to every section of society a shared responsibility.
A 15th-century saint's voice still echoes across India's caste fault lines — and BJP MP Anurag Thakur is calling on every section of society to carry it forward. In a post on X, Thakur paid tribute to Sant Ravidas, invoking the Bhakti poet's lifelong stand against social discrimination and his message of equality and humanity.
Thakur wrote: 'Sant Ravidas raised his voice against social evils and discrimination, and gave the world a message of equality and humanity. His thoughts are as relevant today as ever, and it is the responsibility of all of us to carry them to every section of society.'
Who Was Sant Ravidas — and Why Does He Still Matter
Sant Ravidas, born into the Chamar community in Varanasi during the 15th–16th century, was one of the most radical voices of the Bhakti movement. At a time when caste hierarchy was enforced through social and religious sanction, he composed devotional verses that challenged those very structures — asserting the dignity of every human being regardless of birth. Several of his compositions were included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism, cementing his cross-community reach. His teachings drew followers from marginalised communities across northern India and continue to anchor social reform discourse centuries later.A Tribute Pattern Rooted in Political Reality
Invocations of Sant Ravidas by Indian political leaders are a fixture of public life — spanning parties, states, and ideological divides. The tributes tend to cluster around Sant Ravidas Jayanti, typically observed in January or February on the full moon of the Hindu month of Magh, and serve as a moment for leaders to signal commitment to Dalit dignity and social harmony. Thakur's post carries no announcement of a new scheme or legislation. Its weight is symbolic — but symbolism, in India's caste-conscious political landscape, is never merely decorative. Reaching 'every section of society' with Ravidas's message is both a moral call and a political one. The saint's relevance has only sharpened in an era of renewed public debate over caste discrimination, reservation policy, and social justice — making tributes like this less a ritual and more a positioning statement.Point of View
Invoking Ravidas is part of a broader outreach to Dalit and OBC communities that has intensified over the past decade. Thakur's framing — emphasising collective responsibility to spread Ravidas's message — moves the tribute beyond ceremonial gesture toward a civic call, however loosely defined. In a political climate where caste identity and social justice remain live fault lines, such statements are never purely historical.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sant Ravidas?
Sant Ravidas was a 15th–16th century Bhakti movement saint and poet from the Chamar community in Varanasi who composed devotional verses challenging caste discrimination and advocating for human equality. Several of his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
What did Anurag Thakur say about Sant Ravidas?
Anurag Thakur said Sant Ravidas raised his voice against social evils and discrimination and gave the world a message of equality and humanity, adding that spreading his thoughts to every section of society is the responsibility of all.
When is Sant Ravidas Jayanti celebrated?
Sant Ravidas Jayanti is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magh, which typically falls in January or February each year.
Why do Indian politicians pay tribute to Sant Ravidas?
Sant Ravidas is revered across communities, especially among Dalit and marginalised groups, for his anti-caste teachings. Tributes to him are a way for political leaders to signal commitment to social equality and connect with these communities.
Who is Anurag Thakur?
Anurag Thakur is a BJP Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh and a former Union Minister who held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports.
