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

Smriti Irani has been appointed as one of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) eight national general secretaries, replacing Amit Malviya, who has been removed as head of the party's social media department. Deepak Mhaskey has taken over Malviya's role, while Anil Baluni continues as media convenor. Piyush Goyal replaces Rajesh Agarwal as the party treasurer. These appointments represent the first major reshuffling of the BJP's national leadership since Nitin Nabin assumed the role of party chief in January 2026. The changes come amid ongoing political dynamics within the party, reflecting strategic realignments ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. The restructuring includes several key figures. Ram Madhav, a prominent leader of the BJP's parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has been named among the party's 13 vice presidents. Other notable additions to the leadership include former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat and BJP's Andhra Pradesh chief Daggubati Purandeswari. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and BJP leader Baijayant Panda have continued in their roles as national vice presidents. BL Santosh remains as the national secretary (organisation), while former Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde and party leader Sunil Bansal retain their positions as national general secretaries. Biplab Kumar Deb has also been appointed to the post. Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi replaces MP Tejasvi Surya as the BJP's youth wing chief. Smriti Irani, a former Union minister, was recently ousted from the Union Cabinet following the formation of the third Narendra Modi government in June 2024. She had previously lost her Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh to the Congress in the 2024 general elections. Her appointment to the BJP's national leadership underscores the party's efforts to integrate experienced leaders into its core structure, even as it navigates internal challenges and external pressures. In parallel developments, the BJP government in Odisha has announced plans to commemorate the legacy of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a revered leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) who was assassinated in 2008. His birthplace, Gurujang, will be transformed into a heritage village, and the local gram panchayat will be designated a model panchayat. This initiative marks the centenary of his birth and reflects the state government's renewed emphasis on Hindutva-centric policies. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted Saraswati's contributions to preserving Sanatan culture and promoting the Antyodaya ideology, which emphasizes uplifting the marginalized. The incident that led to Saraswati's death occurred on August 23, 2008, during Janmashtami celebrations at the Jalespata Kanyashram in Kandhamal district. The attack, attributed to left-wing extremists, resulted in the deaths of Saraswati and four others, triggering severe communal unrest. At least 38 people were killed, and approximately 54,000 individuals were displaced. Majhi criticized the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for its perceived negligence and "appeasement politics," alleging that crucial evidence related to the case had vanished, suggesting a possible cover-up. The Odisha government has also renamed Phulbani Government Medical College as Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Medical College and allocated funds for the development and preservation of the Jalespata Ashram, the Ashram School, and Kanyashram. A total of ₹13 crore has been sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Special Assistance (CMSA) fund, with specific allocations for a 300-seat hostel for female students, heritage site conservation, and a large-scale river-lift project aimed at providing clean drinking water. These measures aim to honor Saraswati's legacy while addressing contemporary societal needs. Political opposition has raised concerns regarding the renaming of the medical college, viewing Saraswati as a divisive figure. Left parties argue that such institutions should embody inclusivity and universal respect, emphasizing that they serve all sections of society regardless of religion, caste, or community. Despite these criticisms, the government maintains its stance, asserting that Saraswati's principles align with the broader vision of national rejuvenation and cultural revival.