Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the temple of Saint Ravidas in BHEL Haridwar on Saturday and offered prayers. He inaugurated a pavilion in the temple on the occasion.

 Paying rich tributes to the saint, the CM said that Ravidas was a pioneer of social equality and human values and he played a key role in removing social evils from the society. He said that the day of Ravidas Jayanti is the occasion to take a pledge against untouchability and discrimination in the society. Dhami said that it is a proven fact that great saints have taken birth in our country whenever their presence is needed the most. Saint Ravidas was a great saint of the Bhakti movement who had given a new energy to the downtrodden sections of the society. 

The CM said that India and Uttarakhand are making rapid strides on the path of development by following the teachings of saint Ravidas. The double engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed for the welfare of dalits and downtrodden. The government is following the principle of Antyodaya in which work for welfare of the person standing last on the social ladder is being done.

The CM added that under the leadership of PM Modi, the pucca houses have been given to the poor and they have been freed from the scourge of defecating in the open. The poor are receiving free treatment and pure drinking water is being given from the Har Ghar Nal campaign. Dhami said that the government is giving priority to the poor and making policies while keeping their interests in the centre. The CM averred that the government is moving ahead on the path shown by saint Ravidas. He said that the State government has enacted an anti conversion law and to give equal rights to everyone the government has brought a bill on Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

 Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said that the life of saint Ravidas gives an inspiration for the welfare of mankind. He said that the teachings of Ravidas are still relevant.

MLA Adesh Chauhan, former MLA Deshraj Karnwal and Jaipal of the temple committee also addressed the public.

 MLA Madan Kaushik, Swami Yatishwaranand and others were present on the occasion.