BJP government in Odisha moves to give grand tribute to VHP leader

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Odisha has planned a grand tribute to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader who was killed by left-wing extremists in 2008 after being accused of promoting religious hatred.

His assassination triggered one of the worst episodes of communal violence in Kandhamal district.

To mark the birth centenary of Saraswati, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday (August 21, 2026) announced plans to develop Gurujang, the former leader’s birthplace, into a ‘Heritage Village’ and transform the Gurujang Gram Panchayat as a ‘Model Panchayat’.

“Saraswati was not merely an individual, but a great ideal, a remarkable institution and a radiant guide of Sanatan Dharma. In the modern age, he renounced worldly comforts and devoted his life to serving the disadvantaged tribal communities, living in the remote and dense forests of Kandhamal. He established the Chakapada and Jalespata ashrams and a Kanya Gurukul there, providing tribal girls with Sanskrit education and values and helping them become self-reliant,” said Mr. Majhi attending birth centenary celebration.

Besides, the State government had renamed Phulbani Government Medical College as Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Medical College. In addition, Rs. 13 crore has been sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Special Assistance (CMSA) fund for the development and heritage conservation of Jalespata Ashram, the Ashram School and Kanyashram.

While ₹5 crore will be spent on a 300-seat hostel for girl students, ₹3 crore will be allocated for heritage-site conservation and a mega river-lift project to provide drinking water.

Recalling the brutal killing of Saraswati on the night of Janmashtami in 2008, Odisha CM strongly criticised alleged failures, negligence and appeasement politics of the then government.

“The disappearance of the reports and files Justice A S Naidu Commission, which had been constituted to investigate high profile murder of VHP leader from Chief Minister’s Office was a deliberate conspiracy to protect the perpetrators,” said Odisha CM.

He assured, “every drop of Swamiji’s blood would receive justice and the truth would certainly be brought to light.”

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding deep respect for Swamiji’s service and commitment to Sanatan Dharma, the Chief Minister said that Swamiji’s philosophy of Antyodaya—the upliftment of the poorest and most marginalised—is inherent in Prime Minister Modi’s ideal of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

The Chief Minister also called upon the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, to reconnect with their foundational education, culture, the Vedas, Sanskrit, cow protection and Sanatani traditions, and to participate in nation-building with patriotism and courage.

Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recalled Saraswati’s spiritual and social contributions. Mr.