Rampal Kashyap, a daily wage labourer from Kaithal in Haryana, took a vow 14 years ago not to wear footwear until Narendra Modi become the Prime Minister and he meets him in person. On Tuesday, Kashyap (54) finally put on a pair of shoes, gifted to him by Modi who met the father of three on the sidelines of a function in Yamunanagar.
“Aaj hum tumko joota pehna rahe hai, lekin baad mai phir aaisa kabhi aise kuch karna nahi (I am making you wear shoes, but do not do it again),” PM Modi said, as he handed over a pair of grey sneakers to Kashyap.
PM also posted a video of his brief conversation with Kashyap. “Are bhai, why did you do so (remain barefoot for so long)?,” Modi is heard asking Kashyap, who say that he was ready to remain barefoot for the entire life.
A resident of village Kheri Gulam Ali village in Kaithal, Kashyap works in the agricultural fields apart from taking up jobs at construction sites.
After meeting the Prime Minister, Kashyap told The Indian Express: “It was like I met Bhagwan Ram.”
“Back home, the fellow villagers from Congress used to say that the BJP will never form a government at the Centre and in Haryana. Then, I took a vow not to wear shoes till the BJP doesn’t form a government with full majority and Modi ji becomes the Prime Minister,” said Kashyap, who studied up to class 5.
“Initially, it was painful to be barefoot but later it had become a habit,” he adds.
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Kashyap says BJP leaders Ashok Gurjar and Kulwant Ram Bazigar from Kaithal and MPs Naveen Jindal and Rekha Sharma were instrumental in conveying the PMO about his vow and arranging his subsequent meeting with the Prime Minister.
When Kashyap reached home, the villagers welcomed him with garlands.
The Prime Minister was in Yamunanagar to lay the foundation stone for a 800 MW ultra-supercritical modern thermal power unit at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram thermal power plant.
Sharing the video of his meeting with Kashyap on X, PM said, “I am humbled by people like Rampal Ji and also accept their affection. But I want to request everyone who takes up such vows — I cherish your love… Please focus on something that is linked to social work and nation building”.
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In another post in Hindi, the Prime Minister said: “Today, I had the opportunity to help him (Kashyap) wear shoes. I deeply respect the sentiments of all such individuals, but I urge them to take vows for social or national welfare instead of such personal commitments.”
