A New India, Embracing Inclusion, Honors Babasaheb's Legacy: Modi's Statement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, the historical site where Dr. BR Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956, marks a significant milestone in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) efforts to reach out to Dalit voters. This visit, the Prime Minister's second to Deekshabhoomi, reflects the party's broader strategy to connect with marginalised communities, particularly Dalits, in critical electoral battlegrounds such as Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.

Modi's visit to Deekshabhoomi was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and the Deekshabhoomi president, Bhadant Arya Nagarjuna Shurei Sasai, warmly welcomed the Prime Minister. Modi paid floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar and honoured Lord Gautam Buddha at the site, expressing his belief in taking the country to new heights with the values and teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The BJP's Dalit outreach strategy is multifaceted, combining direct community dialogue, symbolic leadership choices, welfare promotion, and socio-political inclusion efforts to consolidate Dalit support. One of the key aspects of this strategy is intensive grassroots engagement through the 'Anusoochit Jaati Samvad' (Dialogue with SC community), a focused campaign led by state general secretary Dharampal Singh. This involves district-level dialogues with Dalit leaders, office-bearers, and workers to brief them on government schemes and upliftment measures for Scheduled Castes, thereby cementing the party’s connection with Dalit communities across multiple districts in UP.

The BJP is also strategically appointing leaders from the backward and Dalit communities ('P-D' groups) to key party positions, such as the UP state president, aiming to fracture opposition coalitions like the Samajwadi Party’s PDA alliance (Pichhda–Dalit–Alpsankhyak). This move is meant to send strong signals of inclusion and political empowerment to Dalit voters.

The upcoming 2025 panchayat elections are seen as a testing ground for the BJP’s social coalition-building efforts among Dalits and other marginalized groups. Modi's engagement at Deekshabhoomi, a significant site for Dalit socio-political assertion, aligns with this approach of reinforcing the BJP’s appeal through historical symbolism and contemporary welfare narratives.

Beyond electoral strategies, the BJP has also been involved in administrative efforts to support Dalits, as seen in political debates over Dalit appointments in government positions, which influence the community’s perception of the party’s commitment to their upliftment.

The BJP is not limiting its efforts to Dalits alone, as it is also planning to woo Muslims. The party's minority cell has planned big events to distribute 'Saugat-e-Modi' kits on the occasion of Ramzan Eid.

The opposition has raised concerns about the BJP's intentions, claiming that the party wants the huge majority to change the constitution written by Dr Ambedkar. However, Modi's visit to Deekshabhoomi and his repeated expressions of admiration for Babasaheb Ambedkar suggest a commitment to upholding the values that Dr. Ambedkar stood for. Modi noted down in the visitor's diary at Deekshabhoomi, expressing his feelings about the place, and stated that building a developed and inclusive Bharat will be the true tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar.

In essence, Narendra Modi's visit to Deekshabhoomi underscores the BJP’s multi-pronged Dalit outreach, combining direct community dialogue, symbolic leadership choices, welfare promotion, and socio-political inclusion efforts to consolidate Dalit support in critical electoral battlegrounds. The party's focus on social engineering for electoral gains, coupled with its administrative advocacy for Dalits, indicates a sustained commitment to addressing the needs of marginalised communities in India.

The BJP's Dalit outreach strategy incorporates personal growth and mindfulness, as demonstrated by the 'Anusoochit Jaati Samvad' (Dialogue with SC community), a campaign aimed at fostering goal-setting and skill-training among Dalit leaders.
The party's engagement with Dalit communities also encompasses education and self-development, with district-level dialogues focusing on updates about government schemes and upliftment measures for Scheduled Castes.
Career development is another aspect of the BJP's Dalit outreach strategy, with strategic appointments of leaders from backward and Dalit communities to key party positions like the UP state president.
Policy and legislation play a crucial role in the BJP's efforts to support Dalits, as seen in debates over Dalit appointments in government positions, which influence the community’s perception of the party’s commitment.
However, the BJP's Dalit outreach is not limited to electoral strategies, as it also aims to tackle issues such as war and conflicts, crime and justice, and accidents, which disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.
In line with its Dalit outreach, the BJP is also planning to address the needs of other marginalized groups, including Muslims, through events like the distribution of 'Saugat-e-Modi' kits during Ramzan Eid.
The party's approach to Dalit outreach is not without political implications, as evident in the ongoing debates over the BJP's intentions regarding the constitution written by Dr. Ambedkar.
Despite these allegations, Modi's visit to Deekshabhoomi and his repeated expressions of admiration for Babasaheb Ambedkar suggest a commitment to upholding the values that Dr. Ambedkar stood for, such as inclusivity, productivity, and a focus on general news and issues that affect marginalized communities.