AAP Turns Attention to Guru Ravidas' 650th Birth Anniversary After Tegh Bahadur Events
The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is shifting gears. After concluding the 350th martyrdom anniversary commemorations for Guru Tegh Bahadur, the administration now prepares for another major religious observance. This event carries deep political significance. The focus moves to the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, scheduled for February 2027.
Strategic Timing with Elections on the Horizon
Assembly elections in Punjab are due in early 2027. The AAP government plans to kick off celebrations a full year in advance. Officials will make the formal announcement from Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur district. This site is revered as the birthplace of Guru Ravidas. The announcement will coincide with Guru Ravidas Jayanti in February 2026.
Government officials are already laying the groundwork. "The celebrations will run through the year," an official stated. "We are preparing a detailed calendar of events across Punjab and outside the state." The Department of Cultural Affairs, which managed the Guru Tegh Bahadur commemorations, has begun initial preparations.
The Critical Scheduled Caste Vote in Punjab
This move holds substantial electoral weight. Scheduled Castes form 32.5 percent of Punjab's population. This is the highest proportion for any state in India. The community consistently plays a central role in the state's electoral politics.
Within this demographic, the Ravidassia community represents the largest segment. The Valmiki-Mazhabi Sikh population follows. In the 2022 Assembly elections, AAP secured overwhelming support from Scheduled Castes. The party won a majority of the state's 34 reserved seats. Analysts consider this support a decisive factor behind AAP's landslide victory.
Consolidating the Dalit Vote Ahead of 2027
Four years into its term, the AAP government seeks to reinforce its connection with Dalit voters. Celebrating Guru Ravidas Jayanti on an unprecedented scale is part of this strategy. Senior leaders indicate the celebrations blend cultural assertion with governance outreach.
Sources suggest the government may use the occasion to announce several initiatives:
- Fresh welfare measures for disadvantaged communities.
- New scholarship programs for students.
- Infrastructure projects in Dalit-dominated areas.
- Initiatives linked to religious tourism around Guru Ravidas-related sites.
The commemoration will highlight AAP's emphasis on Scheduled Castes. The political landscape makes this focus crucial. The Congress party still struggles to regain credibility among Dalit voters after its 2022 defeat. The Shiromani Akali Dal attempts a revival through Panthic and community-specific outreach. AAP views consolidation of the SC vote as critical. This consolidation could offset potential erosion of support among other social groups.
The near absence of the Bahujan Samaj Party as an independent force intensifies competition. All major parties are vying for Dalit support.
Historical Precedents and Higher Stakes for AAP
This is not the first instance of a Punjab government using religious symbolism to engage Scheduled Castes. Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced a memorial for Guru Ravidas at Khuralgarh. His successor, Amarinder Singh, expanded the project. He announced the Minar-e-Begumpura memorial. This memorial was completed during the tenure of Charanjit Singh Channi. Channi was Punjab's first Dalit Chief Minister and a member of the Ravidassia community.
For AAP, however, the stakes appear even higher. The party operates with limited traditional structures. Its governance record will soon face electoral scrutiny. AAP is leaning heavily on cultural connect, symbolism, and targeted welfare programs. The goal is to retain the loyalty of a community that forms nearly one-third of the electorate. This community possesses the potential to decisively shape Punjab's 2027 verdict.
The year 2026 marks the final year of the AAP government's current tenure. The planned year-long celebrations for Guru Ravidas will unfold against this political backdrop. The party aims to translate religious observance into sustained political support.
