The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Uttar Pradesh distributed copies of the Constitution to sanitation workers at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, calling the religious congregation a "great celebration of unity" that reflects the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The initiative is part of the BJP's nationwide "Samvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan" campaign to celebrate 75 years of the Indian Constitution. As part of this outreach, the party is felicitating Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) across the state.
After garlanding sanitation workers and handing them copies of the Constitution, Uttar Pradesh BJP secretary Abhijat Mishra remarked, "We came here to honor those who were reduced to a mere vote bank by non-BJP parties and governments. Now, with a strong and sensitive leader at the nation's helm, we are witnessing transformative change."
Talking to reporters, Mishra further claimed, "Other political parties have always treated Dalits and OBCs as vote banks. In contrast, our party reveres and empowers them. The Maha Kumbh is a grand celebration of unity, a principle the Constitution guarantees. By distributing copies of the Constitution, we aim to reinforce the vision of unity that our founding fathers had, which our opponents often seek to undermine."
The BJP’s initiative comes in the backdrop of political sparring with the opposition. During the last Lok Sabha elections, the opposition accused the BJP of pursuing a massive mandate to alter the Constitution—an allegation the ruling party has vehemently denied. Despite falling short of its "400 paar" target, the BJP managed to form the government with support from regional allies. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc made surprising gains, bolstering its presence in the Lok Sabha.
Adding to the political dynamics, the Samajwadi Party (SP) recently announced plans to install a bust of its founder and prominent OBC leader, late Mulayam Singh Yadav, at the Maha Kumbh. The Congress, on the other hand, is set to launch its "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan" rally on January 27, aiming to corner the BJP over its alleged stance on the Constitution.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, who has been striving to regain her political foothold, is also engaging in outreach efforts, criticizing the BJP over alleged denigration of Constitution framer and Dalit icon BR Ambedkar.
In 2019, during the previous Kumbh Mela, Prime Minister Narendra Modi famously washed the feet of sanitation workers as a gesture of respect. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also initiated educational programs for the workers that year.
This year, Modi described the Maha Kumbh as "Ekta ka Mahakumbh" (a Maha Kumbh of unity) during a recent visit to Prayagraj. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath echoed this sentiment, referring to the congregation as "Samajik Samta Ka Mahaparv" (a mega festival of social equality).
The government has also unveiled a giant statue of Lord Ram embracing Nishad Raj, a king revered by the politically significant Nishad community, at Shringverpur's Nishad Raj Park. The gesture is seen as an attempt to woo the OBC riverine community, which has been pushing for Scheduled Caste (SC) status. A senior RSS leader downplayed the political undertones, stating, "You can draw your own political narratives, but we stand for unity. The Maha Kumbh is a classic example of caste harmony, where all differences are bridged. That is the unity the prime minister must have been referring to."
Political analyst Sudhir Panwar, who once contested elections on an SP ticket, noted, "The BJP faces a dilemma over the issue of caste census, which has united opposition parties and many of its OBC allies. While it has performed well in recent by-polls, the shock loss of the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat still lingers. Measures like the community outreach at Maha Kumbh are part of its strategy to regain lost ground."
As the Maha Kumbh unfolds, the event not only remains a spiritual hub but also a platform for political narratives, reflecting the interplay of faith and electoral strategies.