Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Maghar on Thursday the Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of Sant Kabir Akademi. The PM is slated to lay the foundation stone of the Akademi.

The Akademi will come up at Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar district. Kabir, the 15th century social reformer, is said to have taken his Samadhi at Maghar. The Akademi will be built at a cost of Rs 250 lakh (Rs 25 crore). Financial approval was given on 13 June.

The cabinet decided that in accordance with the memorandum of association of the Sant Kabir Akademi, its functioning will be governed by the Society Registration Act, 1860. It will comprise four departments ~ governing body, working committee, finance committee and research and development committee.

An official spokesman said the proposed Akademi is being constituted for the specific purpose of undertaking research, survey, publication and exhibition of the life and works of the great social reformer at both the national and international levels. In addition a state-of- the-art library relating to Kabir’s writings will also be established.

Informed sources said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will personally monitor the work relating to the Akademi. They added steps in this direction have been initiated with the state government directing the state archaeology department to collect all memorabilia relating to the 15th century poet for showcasing it in the Akademi.

The PM’s visit to the backward district of Sant Kabir Nagar in eastern UP is being seen in the light of the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2019. A much neglected area, the district is famous for its weaving community and sugarcane production.

Though Maghar has been known since long as the `Samadhi sthal’ of the great mystic poet, official recognition on such a huge scale is being accorded to it for the first time. Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ had alluded to Kabir and recalled his contribution in dispelling superstitious practices.

The PM’s visit is being seen as an attempt to woo the weavers, dalits and the Backward Classes who account for a sizeable section of the population and electorate. For Mission 2019, the BJP is seeking to capitalise on the work and legacy of the great poet who has a large following not only in UP but the country.

The PM will address a public rally and lay the foundation stone of the Akademi at Maghar on Thursday to mark the 500th death anniversary of Kabir. He will also visit the Sant Kabir cave. The PM will be received by Adityanath in Gorakhpur. The two will then proceed on a chopper for Maghar.