Kochi, March 2025 - In a gesture that marks his expected leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar appealed to the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The appeal was part of a larger theme of integration, progress, and social justice he plans to foster under BJP leadership in the state.
Speaking at a public meeting in Kochi, Chandrasekhar, an old BJP hand, also referred to the necessity of upholding the philosophy of Guru for establishing an integrated society. "Any ideology to raise all sections of society and above all the oppressed and weak classes, Sree Narayana Guru had. His idea of 'one caste, one religion, one God for man' is suitable to the social integration programme of the BJP," he said.
This sighting has created great excitement, bearing witness to the enduring impact of Sree Narayana Guru in Kerala society. A 19th- and 20th-century spiritual guru and social reformer, Guru was a firm believer in equality, the abolition of caste systems, and education and social welfare.
Chandrasekhar's adoption of the title of the Guru is in line with the BJP's attempt to consolidate itself in Kerala, which has so far been a bastion of the LDF and the UDF. The promotion of his leadership is an attempt of enormous scale by the party to expand its base in South India.
The Minister justified that Kerala has to embrace progressive values without sacrificing traditional cultural heritage. "Our vision is to carry on the ideals of integration, education and equality bequeathed to us by reformers like Sree Narayana Guru. We want to ensure that all Kerala communities have opportunities to advance together and contribute to the state," Chandrasekhar added on.
