Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited the Prachin Hanuman Mandir in Delhi on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, offering prayers and invoking blessings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as the country's longest-serving elected Prime Minister.

Context

Posting on X, Shekhawat wrote that he had received the 'punya labh' — the spiritual merit — of worship at the ancient temple. He expressed that PM Modi becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister was a matter of 'garv aur prerna' (garv aur prerna — pride and inspiration) for the nation.

The minister also offered a prayer to Lord Hanuman, seeking that the Prime Minister remain 'healthy, energetic and long-lived' and that India continue to progress under his leadership. The post was accompanied by the hashtag #LongestServingElectedPMModi.

Policy Backdrop

Narendra Modi was first sworn in as Prime Minister in May 2014 following the Bharatiya Janata Party's general election victory, and subsequently led the party to wins in 2019 and 2024. His continuous tenure has made him a central figure in contemporary Indian political history.

The Prachin Hanuman Mandir, located in central Delhi, is one of the capital's most prominent religious sites and draws devotees from across the country. Under Shekhawat's stewardship, the Culture Ministry has actively promoted religious and heritage sites as part of its broader outreach agenda.

Stakeholders and Impact

Posts of this nature carry significance within the BJP's communication ecosystem, reinforcing the party's dual emphasis on cultural heritage and political leadership. Senior ministers combining temple visits with public messaging that highlights the Prime Minister's milestones is a recurring pattern among the party's senior figures.

Shekhawat is a prominent face of the BJP in Rajasthan, representing the Jodhpur constituency in the Lok Sabha. His public statements on cultural and religious themes carry weight both within the party and among its core support base of BJP supporters and Hindu devotees.

What's Next

The tribute is likely to be echoed by other senior BJP ministers and leaders in the coming days, as the party marks the milestone of PM Modi's extended tenure. Further temple visits and cultural events tied to the occasion may also be organised under the ambit of the Culture Ministry.

As the government continues its third term, such public affirmations from cabinet members signal a concerted effort to frame the Prime Minister's longevity in office as both a political achievement and a matter of national pride.