Why BJP is investing 7 months in a Sant Ravidas outreach before 2027 polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch a seven-month Samrasta Yatra on July 29, 2026, to celebrate the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, starting from his birthplace in Varanasi. This outreach aims to connect with the Dalit community, which comprises 21% of Uttar Pradesh's population and 32% in Punjab, ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Despite official denials of electoral motives, the campaign is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen the BJP's position among Dalit voters, particularly after poor performance in Punjab in 2022.