RPI leaders unveil Buddha statue in Mount Abu

RPI(A) leaders gathered in Abu Road, Rajasthan, on July 19, 2026, as Ramdas Athawale unveiled a Buddha statue and framed the event around social justice, equality and compassion. National secretary Pratima Totla’s visible role also highlighted the party’s effort to elevate new leadership alongside its veteran national team.

Why it matters: - The Abu Road event put RPI(A)'s social justice message on public display at a time when the party is trying to connect Buddhist values with Ambedkarite politics. - Pratima Totla's presence signaled how RPI(A) is pairing established national leadership with newer public figures who can widen the party's reach.

What happened: - RPI(A) national president and Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale unveiled a Buddha statue in Abu Road, Rajasthan, on July 19, 2026. - The event drew Jalore-Sirohi MP Lumbaram Chaudhary, Abu-Pindwara MLA Samararam Garasiya and other public representatives. - RPI(A) leaders and party officials traveled to Abu Road to welcome Athawale and join the program. - National secretary Pratima Totla, Gujarat state president Ashok Ji, Rajasthan working president Navratna Gosaiwal and Rajasthan state in-charge Ramesh Kumar Saini were among the prominent attendees. - Other party officeholders, workers and supporters also attended.

The details: - The program centered on Buddha's message of compassion, equality and peace. - RPI(A) also linked the ceremony to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's ideas on social justice and constitutional rights. - Athawale has kept RPI(A) active in national politics around representation and rights for marginalized communities. - His role in the central government has reinforced the party's focus on social justice at the national level. - RPI(A) says its organization has expanded while preserving its core ideology and bringing forward new leadership. - Totla was appointed RPI(A) national secretary after entering active politics under Athawale's leadership.

Between the lines: - Totla's profile gives the party a different kind of public-facing leader: one with experience outside traditional politics who can still carry a political message. - Her path moved from fashion and modeling to media, television, film production and social work before she entered party politics. - Totla won recognition as Mrs India Fashion Icon and Mrs Heritage World. - She served as a jury member with the Rajasthan International Film Festival and was associated with the Hindi film The Hundred Bucks. - Her “I Can” campaign aimed to encourage women to rebuild their identities and pursue their goals at any stage of life. - RPI(A) is using Totla's visibility to show organizational energy and a broader social base.

What's next: - RPI(A) is likely to keep promoting social justice messaging through public events that blend religious symbolism, Ambedkarite thought and party organization. - Totla's role suggests the party wants more leaders who can translate that message beyond traditional political circles.

The bottom line: - The Buddha statue unveiling was not just a ceremonial appearance for RPI(A); it was a coordinated show of ideology, leadership and internal renewal.