PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Rs 100 crore temple today

BHOPAL: A 100-crore temple is set to be built in Madhya Pradesh just before the elections. The temple is being built in Sagar district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a temple to be built in the name of 14th-century mystic poet and social reformer Sant Ravidas.

It is reported that Modi will also address the public meeting held in connection with this event. The temple is built on Naga rock in an area of 10,000 square feet. A museum will also be constructed at the site to showcase Ravidas's works and personal influence. The museum will have four galleries. One of them will house a library containing the philosophy and literature of Ravidas.

Apart from the library, a sangat hall (meeting hall), jal kund (water tank) and bhakt niwas (accommodation for devotees) will also be constructed. Devotees and scholars of Ravidas from India and abroad are expected to reach Bhakta Nivas. The restaurant will be built on 15,000 square feet. The temple will also have two large entrances, CCTV cameras and lighting arrangements.

Sant Ravidas was one of the most famous figures of the Bhakti movement in medieval India. By building this temple, BJP aims to unite the Dalit community in the state. In Sagar, 20 to 25 percent are Dalits.

Earlier, the Shivraj Singh Chauhan government had constructed the Sant Ravidas temple for Rs 3.5 crore at Mehar in Satna district. Dalits constitute 16 per cent of the state's population. Out of total 230 seats, 35 are reserved for Scheduled Caste.

In the 2013 elections, while winning 165 seats, the BJP won 28 of these 35 Dalit constituencies. Congress managed to get only four. BSP won three seats. But in the 2018 elections, BJP managed to win only 18 seats out of 35 reserved seats. Congress won 17 seats.