BJP government in Odisha moves to give grand tribute to VHP leader
The Odisha government, led by the BJP, has announced plans to honor the late VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati by developing his birthplace into a heritage site. The initiative includes renaming a medical college and funding infrastructure projects in the region.
Why it matters
The move reflects the BJP's efforts to solidify its ideological footprint in Odisha and highlights the ongoing political debate surrounding the legacy of the 2008 Kandhamal communal violence.
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’.
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