LUCKNOW: While politicians of different hues made a beeline for Sant Ravidas temple in Varanasi on the mystic saint’s birth anniversary, BSP chief Mayawati lashed out at them for misusing his name for political mileage.
The four-time chief minister said, while Samajwadi Party changed the name of Sant Ravi Das district to Bhadohi, BJP too made no effort to restore the district’s name and even cancelled the government holiday to mark his birth anniversary.
“Sant Ravidas’ message is clear. Religion should not be used to fuel politics, but for people’s welfare. However, this has been forgotten by politicians in power, who failed to provide an environment of peace and brotherhood. They ignored the saint’s message, failed to uplift the poor and marginalised, but are bowing before him to get votes,” she said in a message to followers, while paying tributes to the revered saint.
Referring to the work done by her government in honour of the saint, Mayawati said, it was the BSP government which built parks, memorials and even named a district after Sant Ravidas. “The casteist SP government changed the name of the district. Even the current BJP government did not bother to restore the name. And on his birth anniversary, these same people visit his shrine to gain political mileage from his name,” she said in a statement.
