The path of harmony, equality and devotion shown by Saint Ravidas is the foundation of a developed and strong India: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sahay

Saint Ravidas' path of harmony, equality and devotion is the foundation of a developed and strong India, said Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sahay. The Chief Minister attended the Kalash Vandan Mahaabhiyaan organized on the occasion of Saint Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary. He announced that next year, on Maghi Purnima, a public holiday will be observed for Ravidas Jayanti and the sale of meat and alcohol will be prohibited. A state decoration award will be instituted in his name and a prominent square in New Raipur will be named after him. A sacred kalash brought from his birthplace Sir Govardhanpur was venerated, handed over to district representatives, and green flags were shown to vehicles for the village‑to‑village campaign. Raipur – the life of Saint Guru Ravidas Maharaj is an eternal message of harmony, equality, devotion, labour and social justice. His ideas remain as relevant today as they were centuries ago. Ravidas lifted society above caste, discrimination and untouchability, showing a path of humanity, equal rights and spiritual consciousness, which forms the foundation of a progressive, harmonious and strong India. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sahay, speaking at the Din Dayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur during the Kalash Vandan campaign commemorating Ravidas' 650th year, placed a sacred kalash filled with holy soil and water from Sir Govardhanpur on his head before Ravidas’ portrait, performed worship and described it as a symbol of social harmony and national unity. In his remarks, the Chief Minister announced several important decisions: Ravidas' birth anniversary on Maghi Purnima in 2027 will be a public holiday with a total ban on meat and alcohol sales across the state; a state decoration award will be created in his name; and a major square in New Raipur will be named after him. He also said the famous Ravidas verse “I desire a kingdom where everyone gets food, where big and small live together, and Ravidas remains happy” will be inscribed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly after discussion with the Speaker. The Chief Minister stated that India is a sacred land of saints, sages and great men, and whenever injustice, oppression, caste discrimination and untouchability rise, saints and great personalities provide new direction. Ravidas, through his life and teachings, promoted social harmony, equality and devotion, giving society a new consciousness. He bravely opposed the conversion pressure of the contemporary ruler Sikandar Lodhi, proclaiming that all humans are equal and that the path to the divine is only through true devotion and virtue. His famous saying “If the mind is clean, the Ganga will appear in the cauldron” still guides society toward inner purity and spirituality. The Chief Minister shared an anecdote about a divine appearance of Ganga in a cauldron due to Ravidas’ unwavering devotion, illustrating that sincere faith and a pure mind can attain the divine. He quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” and the “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” message as guiding principles for preserving cultural and spiritual heritage. He noted that the sacred kalash of holy soil and water from Ravidas’ birthplace is being distributed to monasteries, temples and faith centres across the country as a national harmony campaign linking every class, village and family. The Kalash Vandan campaign will become a mass movement for social harmony. The Chief Minister praised Dr. Sanam Jangde’s 11‑member delegation that brought the sacred kalash from Sir Govardhanpur, stating their effort will spread Ravidas’ ideas to the masses and strengthen social harmony. He handed the kalash to representatives from all districts, gave green flags to vehicles travelling village‑to‑village, and expressed confidence that the campaign will deliver Ravidas’ message of harmony, equality and social unity to every village, society and home. Cabinet Minister Guru Khushvant Saheb said Ravidas’ teachings erase distinctions between the young and old, promoting equality and social unity, and that the state government is committed to taking his ideas to the last person in society. He added that the Kalash Vandan campaign will empower social unity and cultural awareness in every village. Shri Ajay Jamwal emphasized that Ravidas’ message of harmony is globally relevant and warned against forces that divide society by caste, religion or discrimination, urging all representatives to carry the sacred kalash to every faith centre and promote Ravidas’ ideas widely. Ms. Saroj Pandey highlighted that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the nation continues to honour its cultural heritage, noting Ravidas’ steadfast opposition to forced conversion and his advocacy for Sanatan tradition, equality, labour and social harmony, which remain vital today, and called on everyone to disseminate his message. A large number of elected representatives, saints and devotees attended, including Revenue Minister Mr. Tankaram Verma, Food Minister Mr. Dayal Das Baghil, Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade, MLAs Anuj Sharma, Motilal Sahu, Inder Kumar Sahu, Sampat Aggarwal, Rohit Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Board Mr. Dhruv Kumar Mirdha, Vice‑President of the Cow Service Commission Mr. Rajiv Lochan Maharaj, Mahant Kheluram Paigwar, Saint Yudhishthir Lal and many others.