Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that Bhadohi district will once again be renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar, restoring its earlier identity in honour of the revered 15th-century saint and social reformer Sant Guru Ravidas. The announcement was made during the launch of the BJP’s ‘Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’ in Varanasi, an outreach campaign aimed at strengthening the party’s engagement with Scheduled Caste communities ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, Adityanath said the decision coincides with the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas, emphasising that the state government remains committed to recognising the contributions of saints, reformers and national icons who worked towards social equality and unity.
The chief minister declared that the district, which was originally named Sant Ravidas Nagar, would soon regain its former name. “On the occasion of Sant Ravidas’ 650th birth anniversary, Bhadohi will once again be known as Sant Ravidas Nagar. We will complete this work,” he announced.
The district, which was carved out of Varanasi, had previously been named after Sant Ravidas before it was officially renamed Bhadohi by the Samajwadi Party-led government in December 2014. At the time, the then government stated that the decision had been taken based on the recommendation of the district magistrate.
Adityanath used the occasion to underline what he described as the importance of naming public institutions and places after great social reformers who inspired unity and social harmony. Without naming specific political opponents directly, he criticised those whom he accused of promoting divisive politics.
“Those whose ideals are Babur and Aurangzeb will never accept this because they divide society. Those who unite people name places after great personalities,” the chief minister said. He further alleged that opposition parties work to divide society rather than strengthen social cohesion.
The BJP has increasingly focused on commemorating historical figures associated with social justice and the upliftment of marginalised communities. Highlighting similar initiatives, Adityanath pointed out that Jalandhar Airport has been named after Sant Ravidas, while Ayodhya’s international airport bears the name of Maharishi Valmiki. He also referred to public facilities in Ayodhya named after Mata Shabari and Nishad Raj, saying these decisions reflect efforts to honour personalities who contributed to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Targeting the previous Samajwadi Party government, Adityanath alleged that it had altered the name of a medical college dedicated to Dr B R Ambedkar in Kannauj district. According to the chief minister, the issue was brought to his attention by state minister and Kannauj MLA Asim Arun, following which the government restored the institution’s name in honour of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
He also noted that the Uttar Pradesh government has named the medical college in Auraiya after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, another iconic historical figure known for her contributions to governance and public welfare.
During his address, the chief minister announced several additional measures aimed at preserving the legacy of social reformers across the state. He said the government would install protective canopies over statues of Sant Ravidas, Maharishi Valmiki, Dr B R Ambedkar and other leaders associated with social justice wherever such monuments currently lack adequate protection.
Adityanath further stated that parks dedicated to Dr Ambedkar would be developed, while boundary walls would be constructed around memorials that remain exposed or insufficiently secured. These initiatives, he said, are intended to ensure that important historical and cultural landmarks receive proper maintenance and respect.
The chief minister also outlined welfare initiatives focused on education and social development. He highlighted the establishment of 18 Atal Residential Schools across divisional headquarters in Uttar Pradesh to provide quality modern education to the children of construction workers and other economically weaker sections.
In another significant announcement, Adityanath said the government plans to establish one residential school dedicated to Sant Ravidas in every district, alongside expanding the network of Chief Minister Composite Schools. He added that development schemes for slum areas would be dedicated to Sant Ravidas and Maharishi Valmiki, while revived leather parks across the state would be named after Sant Ravidas. Upcoming textile projects, he said, would be dedicated to Sant Kabir Das, another prominent Bhakti saint known for his message of social harmony.
The event witnessed the presence of several senior BJP leaders and government ministers, including Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Pankaj Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha National President Lal Singh Arya, and other state ministers.
