As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the political temperature is rising. Every party is busy preparing its political strategy, but this time, not just political faces, but religious leaders are also becoming active. Hindu religious leaders, preachers, and saints are touring Bihar, and many political speculations are being made regarding their visits. Bihar has always been a hub of caste-based politics, but this time, the stage seems to be set for religious polarization before the elections. Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the head priest of Bageshwar Dham, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat are touring Bihar at a time when the BJP is trying every possible effort to strengthen its political base in the state. The Bihar elections are considered a big test for the BJP, as it has never been able to form a government on its own in the state. Every time, it needed a coalition partner, but this time, the BJP is putting in all its efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan have already toured Bihar, which has already heated up the political environment, and now, the entry of religious leaders has further intensified it.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s visit to Gopalganj, an area strongly influenced by Lalu Prasad Yadav and his party RJD, cannot be called a mere coincidence. Shastri is conducting a Hanuman Katha for five days there, and his discourses clearly reflect the Hindu agenda. He stated that he is not here for any party, but to awaken Hindus. However, his statement is being linked to politics. His ability to gather crowds in the name of Hindutva and his closeness to BJP leaders is no secret. His emphasis on Hindutva in Gopalganj, which is considered an RJD stronghold, can clearly be seen as part of the BJP’s strategy. This strategy seems to focus on strengthening religious polarization over the caste politics in Bihar. This is not the first time that Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has made such statements, as he has consistently spoken about Hindu unity. He also mentioned that if Hindus are provoked, they will not remain silent, and this statement came at a time when the election battle is being set in Bihar.
Immediately after Dhirendra Shastri’s visit to Bihar, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also arrived in the state. His visit cannot be considered just spiritual, as political implications are also being sought behind it. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar organized a satsang at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where thousands of people attended. He gave discourses on meditation, yoga, and the art of living, but the most important aspect of his visit was the 1000-year-old sacred Shivling he brought to Bihar. This is the same Shivling that Mahmud of Ghazni had broken in 1026 AD. He claimed that an Agnihotri family had preserved this Shivling for centuries and was now presenting it for public viewing. This entire event is seen as part of a strategy to awaken the religious sentiments of Hindus and unite them. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s visit coincided with the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its position in Bihar. This is why, immediately after his arrival, Deputy CM Samrat Chowdhary met him and assured him of all possible support from the Bihar government.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is also in Bihar. His five-day tour is ongoing, during which he is meeting with RSS volunteers and BJP leaders. During this visit, Bhagwat praised the people of Bihar and said that they are symbols of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. He also used the example of Dashrath Manjhi to send the message that one can achieve success through struggle even in difficult circumstances. However, this visit is not just spiritual; it is also being considered as part of BJP’s electoral strategy. Bhagwat’s visit to Bihar, especially before the elections, is significant as it indicates that the BJP is entering the election battlefield fully prepared. Bihar elections have always been a challenge for the BJP due to the strong caste equations in the state. So far, the BJP has only shared power in the state with JDU, but this time, the BJP is trying to strengthen its position by playing the Hindutva card.
The arrival of religious gurus one after another in Bihar and their discourses on Hindutva shows that a big political game is being played ahead of the Bihar elections. RJD has openly stated that the BJP is doing all this for electoral gain. The opposition believes that the BJP wants to create a new political current in Bihar by bringing forward religious leaders. However, the BJP has denied such accusations, but it is clear that there is a specific purpose behind all these events. Bihar’s politics has been based on caste equations, but the BJP is now trying to shift it towards Hindutva. Hindutva politics is not new for the BJP, but it is for the first time that the party is trying to implement it so openly in Bihar. The RSS is also continuously working on this strategy to unite Hindus, who are divided into different castes, on a common platform, so that the BJP can gain electoral benefit.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has previously talked about uniting Hindus. He had also undertaken a Hindu awakening tour in Madhya Pradesh, and now, his aim seems similar in Bihar. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar bringing the Shivling broken by Mahmud of Ghazni to Bihar may also be aimed at awakening the sentiments of Hindus and uniting them to support a particular ideology. When all these events are viewed together, it becomes clear that the tour of religious leaders in Bihar ahead of the elections is not coincidental but part of a political strategy. The BJP has realized that due to the caste equations in Bihar, it has faced difficulty in gaining power, so now it is focusing on Hindutva to fight the electoral battle. How successful this strategy will be can only be determined after the election results, but it is certain that this time, the Bihar elections will not be limited to caste equations; the issue of Hindutva will also dominate the scene.
