NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, both members of the Congress, on Wednesday, served 'langer and payed tribute to Dalit legend Guru Ravidas at Ravidas Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Guru Ravidas, the
poet-saint was born near the temple town in the 15th century.
Taking to Twitter, The Gandhi's were seen serving meals to people during a langar (community meal) at a Varanasi temple in a video published by the party. Rahul Gandhi, the former Congress president, is seen in the 36-second video delivering food to worshippers waiting in line.
Gandhi quoted Sant Guru Ravidas' couplet, saying, "Salute to Sant Guru Ravidas."
The temple administration presented the former Congress president and Priyanka Gandhi, the party's national secretary and UP in-charge, with a framed image of Guru Ravidas.
Sant Ravidas was considered as a Dalit hero because he fought for equality and decency for all people, regardless of caste. He also advocated for gender equality and condemned societal divisions based on gender or caste. Ravidas Jayanti is observed on Magh Purnima, which is the Hindu calendar's full moon day in the Magh month.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had already postponed Punjab Assembly elections due to the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas. The state was supposed to hold elections on February 14th.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed prayers at Guru Ravidas Vishram Dham Mandir in Karol Bagh, Delhi, earlier today. Other politicians, like Home Minister Amit Shah, took to Twitter to commemorate the event.
Chief Minister Charanjit Channi of Punjab also tweeted photos of himself paying homage.
While Dalits make about 30% of the population in Punjab, they make up roughly 20% of the population in Uttar Pradesh.
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