Following the demand of the Gorakhnath Math, led by its head BJP MP Yogi Adityanath, the Centre is releasing a stamp on his predecessor and leader of Ram Janmabhoomi movement Mahant Avaidyanath. Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will release the Rs 5 stamp in Gorakhpur on Thursday, to mark Avaidyanath’s first death anniversary as per the Hindu calendar.

“Mahant Avaidyanath was my guru. A stamp in his memory is an acknowledgement of his contribution to the country and society. I am grateful to the PM and the information technology minister for the move,” Adityanath told The Indian Express. He said he had sent a proposal in this regard to the Centre.

The postal department confirmed that it had received a formal proposal in this regard a few months ago.

Avaidyanath, who was earlier an MLA, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur as an independent candidate in 1970. In 1989, he won the seat as a Hindu Mahasabha candidate. In 1991 and 1996, he won the seat as a BJP candidate. Since then, Adityanath has won the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat.

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