Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges people to identify those who use caste segregation for political gains

Varanasi, Feb 19 Invoking poet-saint Guru Ravidas on his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked people to end caste discrimination and identify those leaders who advance standing separation for their political gains.

Modi was in Varanasi on Tuesday and he tended to two gatherings in the city. The Prime Minister also launched development projects worth Rs 3,000 crore amid his visit to Varanasi, which is additionally his Lok Sabha voting demographic.

In Varanasi, the PM also laid the foundation stone for the Ravidas Janmasthali area development project.

"Guruji had said that there ought to be no separation based on position. Till rank separation is there, people can't connect with one another, social harmony is not possible and equality cannot be ensured," Modi said.

"Identify those who to their self-interest, create caste discrimination and promote it," he urged, without taking any names.

Guru Ravidas was a prominent saint from the Bhakti movement of the fifteenth and the sixteenth centuries. Born in Varanasi, the revered saint's hymns often addressed caste issues.

"He dreamt of a society where all are taken care of. We have tried to follow this tenet during the past four and a half years with 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' (comprehensive advancement)," the prime minister said.

"My government focused on 'panchdharma' - income, medicine, irrigation and addressing public grievances -- irrespective of caste, creed and other factors. Unfortunately, caste discrimination has not been removed till now. The New India will witness this change with the help of the youth," he added.