Rajnath Singh greets nation on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 26, 2026, extended greetings on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, calling the Adi Kavi's Ramayana an invaluable heritage of Indian culture, moral values, and human sensibility, and paying a reverent hundredfold salute to the ancient sage.
Key Takeaways
Rajnath Singh posted Valmiki Jayanti greetings on October 26, 2026 .
He described the Ramayana as the medium through which Valmiki spread ideals of truth, dharma, and public welfare.
Singh called Valmiki's work 'an invaluable heritage of Indian culture, moral values, and human sensibility.' The message highlighted sadachar (virtuous conduct) and samarasata (social harmony) as Valmiki's enduring gifts to society.
Senior BJP leaders routinely mark Hindu observances with public tributes emphasising classical Indian heritage.
On the sacred occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended warm wishes to the nation on Monday, October 26, 2026, paying homage to the ancient sage revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet — of the Indian literary tradition.
In his message posted on X, Singh wrote: 'Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti ke paavan avsar par samast deshwasiyon ko hardik shubhkamnayein' — 'Heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.' He described Valmiki's immortal composition, the Ramayana, as the vessel through which the ideals of Lord Shri Ram — truth, dharma, and the welfare of the people — were carried to every corner of society.
The Adi Kavi and the living legacy of the Ramayana
Maharishi Valmiki is traditionally credited as the author of the Ramayana, one of the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Revered across centuries, his work is regarded not merely as literature but as a foundational text of Indian civilisation — shaping ethics, governance ideals, and cultural identity from the subcontinent to Southeast Asia.
Singh called Valmiki's compositions 'an invaluable heritage of Indian culture, moral values, and human sensibility,' and saluted the sage as an eternal source of inspiration for sadachar, samarasata aur adarsh jeevan — virtuous conduct, social harmony, and an exemplary way of life. The tribute closed with a reverent 'shat-shat naman' — a hundredfold bow of respect.
A senior BJP voice on a day of national reverence
Valmiki Jayanti, observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, is a widely observed occasion across India. Senior BJP leaders including Union ministers routinely mark the day with public messages that draw on the Ramayana's ethical and cultural resonance — a tradition that speaks to the party's consistent emphasis on classical Indian heritage in public discourse.
As one of the BJP's most senior figures — a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, former Union Home Minister, and the current head of India's defence establishment — Singh's greeting carries the weight of institutional voice, reaching across the country's diverse communities that hold Valmiki's legacy dear.
The Ramayana does not belong to a shelf. It lives in the street, the stage, and the soil of this country — and on days like this, even a Defence Minister pauses to remember who wrote it first.
Point of View
Reinforcing the party's cultural-civilisational narrative. The specific invocation of the Ramayana's themes — truth, dharma, and lokkaklyaan (public welfare) — echoes language the government has used in policy speeches and Ram temple discourse, suggesting a deliberate alignment between devotional occasion and political identity. For a politician of Singh's stature, such messages also serve a social outreach function: Valmiki's community has significant electoral weight in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The post carries no immediate policy signal, but its cultural framing is far from incidental.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti?
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is an annual observance honouring Maharishi Valmiki , the ancient Indian sage traditionally credited with composing the Ramayana epic. He is revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet — in the Sanskrit literary tradition.
What did Rajnath Singh say on Valmiki Jayanti 2026?
Rajnath Singh extended greetings to all citizens, describing the Ramayana as the medium through which Valmiki spread the ideals of Lord Ram — truth, dharma, and public welfare — and called his compositions an invaluable heritage of Indian culture and moral values.
Why is Valmiki called Adi Kavi?
Maharishi Valmiki is called Adi Kavi , meaning 'the first poet,' because he is traditionally credited with composing the Ramayana in Sanskrit verse — considered the earliest major poetic work in the Indian literary canon.
Who is Rajnath Singh?
Rajnath Singh is India's Union Defence Minister and a senior BJP leader. He previously served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Home Minister .
When is Valmiki Jayanti observed?
Valmiki Jayanti is observed on the full moon day ( Purnima ) of the Hindu month of Ashwin, which typically falls in October. The precise date shifts each year according to the lunar calendar.
