Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Punjab Parties Mobilise Dalit Voters for Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Guru Ravidas was a saint who helped people in Punjab.
His birthday is on February 20, and many people celebrate it.
In 2024, the big political parties in Punjab want to win the votes of Dalit people, who are a large group in the state.
They are doing things like special trains, public holidays, and big celebrations to show they care about Dalit people.
Each party is trying to show that they will help Dalit people with jobs, education, and fairness, hoping to win their votes in the upcoming elections.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 20 is a key event for Punjab’s 32% Dalit electorate.
The Centre launched a special train for the celebration, highlighted by the BJP as a Modi‑era pilgrimage initiative.
BJP, AAP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal are all using the day to strengthen outreach to Ravidasia and other Scheduled Castes.
AAP has declared the day a public holiday and organized state‑supported celebrations to appeal to Dalit voters.
Congress plans to showcase senior Dalit leaders, while the Akali Dal will emphasize Guru Ravidas’s place in Sikhism to rebuild its base.
- Who
- BJP, AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the Ravidasia community
- What
- Political parties use Guru Ravidas Jayanti to court Dalit voters ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections
- When
- February 20, 2024, during the election campaign
- Where
- Punjab, especially the Doaba region
- Why
- The Dalit community holds 32% of Punjab’s electorate and can swing key constituencies
- Event
- Guru Ravidas Jayanti
- Date
- February 20, 2024
- Significance
- 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas
- Key Parties
- BJP, AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal
- Dalit Population
- 32% of Punjab’s population (2011 Census)
- Special Train
- Launched by the Centre for pilgrimage