On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti 2026, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar offered reverent greetings to the ancient sage regarded as the author of the Ramayana — the epic that first gave the story of Lord Rama its immortal literary form.

In his post on Monday, 26 October 2026, Khattar paid tribute to Maharshi Valmiki, addressing him as Adi Kavi — the 'first poet' — and saluting his role in carrying the ideals of Lord Rama to every household through the sacred epic 'Ramayana'. 'The sacred thoughts of Maharshi Valmiki have always inspired us to walk the path of truth, restraint, discipline, and devotion to duty,' Khattar wrote, adding that 'his ideals will forever guide society toward virtue, morality, and dedication to human values.'

The sage who gave Rama his first voice

Maharshi Valmiki is venerated across India as the composer of the original Sanskrit Ramayana, one of the two great epics that form the bedrock of Indian civilisation. Scholars place the text among the oldest surviving works of Indian literature, and Valmiki's title Adi Kavi — meaning the primordial or first poet — reflects the foundational status of both the man and his composition. Valmiki Jayanti, observed on the full moon day of the month of Ashwin, marks his birth anniversary and is celebrated with processions, recitations, and cultural programmes across the country.

A pattern of classical reverence in BJP political messaging

Khattar's tribute follows a well-established pattern among senior BJP leaders of publicly marking Hindu festival days and the birth anniversaries of classical sages. Such observances — often accompanied by references to canonical texts like the Ramayana or the Mahabharata — serve as a consistent thread in the party's broader cultural and civilisational messaging. As a former Chief Minister of Haryana and now a Union Cabinet minister, Khattar carries weight in communities that hold Valmiki Jayanti as a significant social and religious occasion.

Across India, state governments and community organisations mark the day with public events honouring Valmiki's legacy — a legacy that, as Khattar's post underscores, is seen as inseparable from the values of satya (truth), sanyam (restraint), and kartavyanishtha (devotion to duty).

Two-and-a-half millennia after the sage sat in meditation and composed his first shloka, his name still commands tributes from the highest offices of the Indian state. That alone says something about the staying power of the Adi Kavi's words.