Ahead of Bihar polls, BJP puts 'backwards' on its priority list

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Friday announced plans for a grand celebration of the second birth centenary of renowned 19th century social reformer Jyotiba Phule, in what can be seen as an important gesture to OBCs who revere the anti-caste activist, who also championed women's education."In the near future, we will be marking the 200th birth anniversary of the great social reformer Jyotiba Phule. We are going to begin the celebrations for this anniversary. Phule's principles and the mantra "priority to the backward" are an inspiration for us," said Modi. The proposed celebrations mark the elevation of Phule, who was born into Mali caste, to the national pantheon.BJP included Phule and his wife Savitribai, known for her 'passionate and tireless' advocacy for women's education, among its gallery of icons long ago.

But Modi's plans for his bicentenary turn the embrace into a warm hug.Modi said his govt is working to implement Phule's mantra. "By giving priority to the backward, we want to reach the heights of transformation. We want to put in our utmost effort for this. Through transparent policies, we wish to make "priority to backward" a reality on the ground, bringing it into the lives of every backward person".The remarks were seen from multiple prisms, including the impending decision on vice president, choice of the new BJP chief, and Bihar polls where OBCs will play the decisive role.

Phule, for long, has been a major influence on the OBCs in Bihar, with many among the intermediate castes of Kushwahas and Koeris, who, like Malis, are engaged in horticulture, regarding him as one of their own.The PM also spoke about Dalits and other deprived sections while stressing the need for govt to be proactive about improving lives. "Whether they are Dalits, the oppressed, the exploited, or the deprived, govt should be proactively positive for them, govt should be pro-people," he said.Modi said some people suffer from the misperception that his govt was implementing schemes for welfare of the deprived sections the same way as its predecessors. "We are implementing schemes on the ground. We emphasise saturation because if there is any true execution of social justice, it is in saturation where no eligible person is left out."Phule's bicentenary celebrations would mark the co-option by BJP of a second legendary social reformer from Maharashtra, after B R Ambedkar was formally inducted into its 'Hall of Inspirations'. The practice of adopting even those who had once seemed incompatible with the party's original ethos has gone hand-in-hand with the expansion of its base beyond the core. It gathered momentum under Modi who, as PM, moved vigorously to identify the party with Ambedkar's legacy.