Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Prince Ram of Ayodhya became “Deenbandhu Ram” (friend of the poor) only after eating the berries of “tribal Mata Sabari”, the reference being seen as an effort to draw the tribals under the wider Hindutva umbrella by using the symbol of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Modi was addressing a congregation of tribals across the country through videoconferencing after releasing the first instalment of Rs 540 crore to one lakh tribal beneficiaries of a rural housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

“The story of Ram is not possible without Mata Sabari,” Modi said, pointing out that it was natural for him to remember Mata Sabari as he prepares for the consecration of the Ram temple on January 22.

“Dashrath’s son Ram could become Deenbandhu Ram only when he ate the berries of tribal Mata Sabari,” Modi added, crediting the tribal woman in The Ramayana for the “transformation of Prince Ram to Maryada Purushottam Ram (most dignified man)”.

Aiming to bring various subaltern communities into the Hindutva fold, the Ram temple has been conceived to include temples of saints and characters from The Ramayana associated with tribals and other deprived sections.

The Ram temple, which is being projected by the Sangh Parivar as the symbol of Hindu pride, will be surrounded by these smaller temples, including the one dedicated to “Mata Sabari”.

The character of Sabari, an old ascetic woman from a tribal community with selfless devotion towards Ram, figures in the epic. Ram is shown responding to her deep devotion by eating the berries tasted by Sabari.

Ahead of the upcoming general elections, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar hope to arouse Hindutva pride among the tribal voters by including temples of “Mata Sabari” and “Jatayu” in the Ram temple complex.

In his address, Modi said while Diwali was being celebrated in Ayodhya, “people from the extremely backward community among tribals were also celebrating Diwali” due to the transfer of funds by his government to build houses for them.