BJP MPs will head back to villages to revive India’s ‘dying festivals’

To begin with, the party is experimenting with the idea in Uttarakhand where MP Anil Baluni is set to celebrate Igaas Bagwal in his village on 8 November.

File photo of BJP leader Anil Baluni | Facebook

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs will go back to their villages to connect with the masses, especially by celebrating the dying festivals of India.

To begin with, BJP MP Anil Baluni has decided to celebrate Igaas Bagwal in his village in Uttarakhand. The festival will be celebrated on 8 November. Igaas is one of the prominent festivals of Uttarakhand that celebrates the return of Lord Ram after his victory over Ravan.

According to folklore, while the news of Lord Ram’s arrival reached everywhere, it reached the hills late, which is why the festival is celebrated after Diwali.

Sources said Baluni will be celebrating the festival in his village of Nakot in Podhi district. A senior BJP leader said apart from Baluni, a few cabinet ministers in the Uttarakhand government have also decided to celebrate the festival in their respective villages and are hoping that others will also follow.

The idea is to go back to our villages and stay connected with our roots, said a senior BJP leader.

Cultural programmes in the village

As part of the event, a source in the BJP said that a major cultural programme will be held in the village.

“A major cultural programme will be held in the village on the occasion,” the source said. “Apart from carrying out development work, it is important for politicians to stay connected with their roots. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often said that apart from developmental work we should reach out to people, connect with our culture.”

Another senior BJP leader said more from the party will follow suit.

“This is a small start and other MPs and politicians may also undertake similar initiatives. In this particular case, it is restricted to Uttarakhand but across the country, we have so many festivals that are now being celebrated by only a handful,” the leader said.

“It is not a direction from the party but it will surely encourage others to carry out similar initiatives. The move will also encourage the public to participate in such festivals and stay connected with our tradition and culture.”