Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel pays tribute to Deendayal Upadhyaya on birth anniversary in Ahmedabad
Synopsis
On Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's 110th birth anniversary, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel led tributes in Ahmedabad while PM Modi nationally recalled the Jana Sangh icon's Antyodaya philosophy. The day doubled as a BJP governance showcase, with the CM also presiding over the 12th phase of the 'Seva Setu' citizen services drive tied to 25 years of Modi's public service.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel paid floral tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at Anupam Bridge, Kankaria, Ahmedabad on 25 September 2026 .
The ceremony was attended by senior BJP leaders including Mayor Hitesh Barot , MP Dinesh Makwana , and Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani .
PM Narendra Modi also paid tribute, highlighting Upadhyaya's Antyodaya philosophy as an inspiration for national progress.
Upadhyaya, born 25 September 1916 , served as Bharatiya Jana Sangh president from 1967 until his death in 1968 .
CM Patel later led the 12th phase of the 'Seva Setu' programme across four Ahmedabad zones under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' .
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday, 25 September offered floral tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at the statue near Anupam Bridge in Ahmedabad's Kankaria area, marking the leader's 110th birth anniversary. The ceremony brought together senior BJP functionaries, elected representatives, and civic officials in a show of deference to one of the ideological pillars of the Sangh Parivar.
Who Attended the Tribute Ceremony
Joining Chief Minister Patel at the event were Energy and District In-charge Minister Rushikesh Patel and Minister of State for Urban Development Darshna Vaghela. The gathering also included Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, former Minister Brijesh Merja, Member of Parliament Dinesh Makwana, BJP city President Prerak Shah, MLAs Amul Bhatt, Amit Shah and Amit Thaker, Deputy Mayor Anju Shah, and Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel. Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, local corporators, and municipal officials were also present.
Who Was Deendayal Upadhyaya
Born on 25 September 1916, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was a foundational leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political predecessor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He served as President of the Jana Sangh from 1967 until his death in 1968. Upadhyaya is best remembered for articulating the philosophy of Integral Humanism and the concept of Antyodaya — the principle of uplifting the person at the lowest rung of society. His ideological legacy continues to inform BJP governance frameworks and welfare policy framing to this day.
PM Modi Also Pays Tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Upadhyaya on Friday, recalling the leader's emphasis on the welfare of those at the bottom of the social ladder. Modi described Antyodaya as an enduring inspiration for public welfare and national progress, reinforcing the BJP's positioning of Upadhyaya's philosophy as a guiding principle of governance.
CM Patel Leads 12th Phase of 'Seva Setu' Programme
Later in the day, Chief Minister Patel participated in the 12th phase of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's 'Seva Setu' programme, held across the South, East, Central and North zones of the city. The initiative, organised under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' — marking 25 years of PM Modi's public service — focused on on-the-spot resolution of applications and direct delivery of government scheme benefits to citizens. The Chief Minister visited the venue, inspected departmental stalls, interacted with beneficiaries, and distributed certificates and assistance cheques under various government welfare schemes.
Point of View
The same day's 'Seva Setu' event — tied to 25 years of Modi's public service — signals how closely state-level BJP governments align local civic outreach with national branding cycles. The question worth asking is whether Antyodaya's original emphasis on bottom-up societal reform translates meaningfully into measurable outcomes for Gujarat's most marginalised, or whether the tribute remains largely symbolic.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya?
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, born on 25 September 1916, was a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor to the BJP. He served as the party's president from 1967 until his death in 1968 and is widely regarded as the ideological architect of Integral Humanism and Antyodaya — the philosophy of uplifting the most marginalised members of society.
Where did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel pay tribute to Deendayal Upadhyaya?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid floral tribute at the statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya near Anupam Bridge in Ahmedabad's Kankaria area on 25 September 2026, the occasion of Upadhyaya's 110th birth anniversary.
What is the 'Seva Setu' programme that CM Patel participated in?
'Seva Setu' is an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation initiative that facilitates citizens' direct access to government scheme benefits, certificates, and on-the-spot application resolution. CM Patel participated in its 12th phase on 25 September 2026 under the broader 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' marking 25 years of PM Modi's public service.
What is Antyodaya, the philosophy associated with Deendayal Upadhyaya?
Antyodaya refers to the principle of prioritising the welfare of the person at the lowest rung of society — lifting the most disadvantaged first. PM Modi invoked this concept on Friday, describing it as a foundational inspiration for public welfare and national progress.
Who else attended the birth anniversary tribute in Ahmedabad?
The ceremony was attended by Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, MoS Darshna Vaghela, Mayor Hitesh Barot, MP Dinesh Makwana, BJP city President Prerak Shah, MLAs Amul Bhatt, Amit Shah and Amit Thaker, Deputy Mayor Anju Shah, Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, and Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, among other civic officials.
