The scale of these public celebrations is unprecedented. The government appealed to social organizations for community service and spent large sums of money to publicize such events, leaving no stone unturned to turn religious events into grand occasions. All these events recognizing the achievements of gurus and sants and promoting their ideologies are organized under the aegis of the government “Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Samman and Prasar Yojana”.

In April, Khattar said during the 400th anniversary celebrations of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s birth that Haryana shared a special bond with the Sikh guru as “he started his journey to Lohgarh from Jind district, which was once the capital of the Sikh State”. Calling the Sikh Guru “the greatest humanitarian this world has ever seen”, the CM said the youth of Haryana had a lot to learn from him. He also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include important historical places in Haryana related to Guru Tegh Bahadur in a travel list for devotees.

“To preach the message of communal harmony and brotherhood, the government of Haryana pays homage to religious gurus, saints and martyrs by organizing public meetings, receptions and seminars across the state,” said Khattar.

Last month, on the eve of Kabir Jayanti, Khattar said the CM’s official residence would be known as “Sant Kabir Kutir”. Making the announcement to Rohtak at a state-level ceremony, he said, “Sant Kabir Das ji was a strong supporter of religious unity. He gave the message of love to mankind. His followers promote his ideals even today. Its teachings are the heritage of society”.

Khattar also announced that the education department would set up libraries in educational institutions and dharamshalas (rest houses for worshipers) run by disadvantaged communities, and a 75% grant would be provided for the installation of 5 KW solar power plants in these dharamshalas. The CM also said that free train tickets would be offered to people traveling to Benares, Kabir’s birthplace, and announced that a state institution would soon be named after the mystical saint.

The state government was due to celebrate the birthdays of Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara on Friday. A big event was to take place at the new anaj mandi (grain market) of Kurukshetra in Thanesar with Khattar as the main guest. Government officials said the CM was to make several announcements for followers of Sikh icons.

In a recent statement, the state government said: “The Chief Minister says he has made the pledge of ‘Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek’ modeled on the slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas “from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. . The state government is ensuring that people from all walks of life are duly recognized and brought to the same platform.”

The opposition did not attack Khattar and the BJP over its desire for religiosity. “Although everyone understands the reasoning behind such events and the political significance, the opposition cannot criticize the ruling party on such issues,” a senior opposition official said. “Religious issues are extremely sensitive and it is a good thing if the government recognizes all communities rather than promoting a single religion or culture. However, such actions cannot distract the public from important fundamental problems, be it the deterioration of public order, unemployment, rising prices or poor health infrastructure. and education.