‘Kabir, through Ambedkar, influenced our Constitution’
MAHOTSAV President Kovind lauds mystic saint poet’s teachings BHOPAL:
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said mystic saint-poet Kabir’s teachings and ideals have influenced the framing of Indian constitution as BR Ambedkar was influenced by his vision, who stressed on equality, harmony, and assimilation.
Kovind said this during an event to celebrate Kabir Mahotsav organised by the Madhya Pradesh government in Bhopal. The event witnessed significant participation from Kabirpanthis (Kabir followers) and Kabir balladeers (singers or composers of ballads) from across the state.
The President said Kabir was also a social reformer who kept stressing on equality, simplicity, harmony, and assimilation throughout his life.
“Kabir kept fighting against social ills and prevalent superstitions. He exemplified it when he decided not to die in Banaras. He broke the myth that if one dies in Banaras, one attains moksha (salvation),” Kovind said.
Kabir’s fight against social ills and superstitions shows “he was both bold and modern”.
“These qualities of Kabir influenced BR Ambedkar. And one can see the impact of Kabir in India’s Constitution. The ideals of justice, freedom and brotherhood are evident of the impact of Kabir’s teachings on Ambedkar,” he said.
The President said he was happy to learn that there was a living tradition of Kabir in Madhya Pradesh, as one research shows there were over 500 bhajan mandlis (devotional song troupes) and around 5000 singers who sing the Kabir’s poems.
“Kabir spent a lot of time in Bandhavgarh in MP where Dharam Das, one of his first disciples, was initiated,” he said.
Earlier, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in his address, “The state government has decided to include the birthplace of Kabir in Banaras in the pilgrimage scheme. We have also decided to promote and develop the institutions associated with Kabir. Two centres dedicated to his teachings will be opened up at two universities.”
Governor Om Prakash Kohli spoke about the contribution of Kabir and lauded the initiative of organising Kabir Mahotsav.
The President arrived in Bhopal on Friday afternoon. After staying at Raj Bhavan for the night, he will proceed for the pilgrim town, Amarkantak, on Saturday morning to attend the second convocation ceremony of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.