VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India is moving rapidly on the path of development by adopting the messages of Sant Ravidas.
Modi was speaking at a function here to commemorate the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas.
Varanasi is Modi's parliamentary constituency.
"On the pious occasion of the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, I welcome you all to his birthplace. You have come from far-off places on this occasion, especially my brothers and sisters from Punjab...Varanasi seems to have become a mini-Punjab," he said.
In his address, the prime minister also hit out at the opposition 'INDIA' bloc, claiming that its members were exploiting people in the name of casteism.
"They care for the well-being of their families, cannot think about the welfare of Dalits and tribals," Modi added.
Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated a newly installed statue of Sant Ravidas in Varanasi.