Bhadohi District to be Renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar by CM Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared that Bhadohi district will once again be renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar. The announcement was made during a BJP-organized event in Varanasi commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, a revered spiritual leader and social reformer.

A Name with Political History

This renaming marks the third major shift for the district’s name in recent years. It was first renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar by former CM Mayawati during her tenure from 2007 to 2012. However, her successor Akhilesh Yadav reversed the decision, restoring the original name Bhadohi during the Samajwadi Party government’s term. The move by Adityanath reaffirms the BJP government’s emphasis on celebrating icons of social justice and harmony.

Tribute to Sant Ravidas

The event took place at Seer Govardhan in Varanasi, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas. Adityanath announced that the park where the programme was held would also be dedicated to the saint. He highlighted other initiatives honoring Ravidas, including the naming of an airport in Jalandhar after him, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

Promoting Social Harmony

In a symbolic gesture, the CM handed over urns containing sacred soil to representatives from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh and other states. These urns will be used in local events promoting "samrasta" (social harmony). Adityanath also inaugurated a Deepotsav programme at Ravidas Ghat, lighting lamps to mark the occasion.

Broader Plans for Icons of Social Justice

Adityanath outlined plans to construct canopies over statues of Sant Ravidas, Maharishi Valmiki, Bhimrao Ambedkar, and other social justice icons installed in public spaces. Additionally, boundary walls will be built to protect parks named after these figures. The CM emphasized that the ‘Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’ would connect villages and households across the country, fostering inclusivity and harmony.

Why It Matters

The renaming of Bhadohi as Sant Ravidas Nagar is not just a symbolic act but a politically significant move reflecting the BJP's strategy of aligning governance with cultural and social icons. By honoring Sant Ravidas, the government seeks to resonate with communities that hold him in high regard, while promoting messages of unity and social justice.

This decision also underscores the ongoing legacy of name changes in Uttar Pradesh, a state where political identities and cultural narratives often intertwine.

Source: Indian Express