Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded late Kalyan Singh, hailing him as a symbol of compassion for the marginalised and economically disadvantaged sections of society.

Speaking at a ceremony held on the occasion of the second death anniversary of former chief minister late Kalyan Singh in Aligarh on Monday, Shah said, “Babuji (as Kalyan Singh was called) worked to uplift marginalised communities and the poor, embodying boundless empathy. He never spoke of casteism but rather worked to empower marginalised communities.”

Shah reminisced about a pivotal moment in history when Ayodhya was inundated with fervent Ram devotees. “As calls to employ force against the devotees grew louder, Babuji made a momentous decision – he chose not to resort to violence and instead tendered his resignation as chief minister, a profound sacrifice that left an indelible mark on people’s memory,” he pointed out.

He also underscored that the initiatives initiated by Kalyan Singh for the betterment of marginalised communities have been consistently advanced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also been working to empower backward castes by granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.

He said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi issue found a resolution under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Shah also highlighted the government’s commitment to uplift the disadvantaged and its success in implementing the long-pending Ram Mandir project, signifying an inclusive approach that addresses both social welfare and heritage preservation within nine years.

Amit Shah stated that the revered Kalyan Singh had three main objectives – to accelerate the Ram Janmabhoomi movement; to ensure the welfare of the poor; and thirdly, to uplift backward sections of society without disturbing social harmony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been tirelessly advancing the work initiated by Babuji, he emphasised. The Prime Minister is providing water and electricity to millions of poor households, he added.

Shah mentioned that when he became in-charge during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he had little knowledge about Uttar Pradesh. “Babuji spent 11 hours explaining the intricacies of each district in Uttar Pradesh. He guided me over the phone twice every day. The result was that every record in Uttar Pradesh was shattered,” Shah remarked.

Amit Shah concluded by offering his tribute to Babuji on behalf of millions of party workers across the country.