Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Maghar on 28 June, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the setting up of Sant Kabir Akademi on Wednesday.

The PM is slated to lay the foundation stone for the Akademi coming up at Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar district. Kabir, the 15th century social reformer,  was said to have taken his samadhi at Maghar 500 years ago.

The Akademi will be built at a cost of Rs 25 crore. The project had got the financial approval on 13 June, 2018.

The cabinet decided that the functioning of the Sant Kabir Akademi would be governed by the Society Registration Act 1860. It will comprise four departments — governing body, working committee, finance committee and research and development committee.

READ | Sant Kabir’s story, writings, philosophies and some lesser known facts

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

Informed sources said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will personally monitor the  work.

They said steps in this direction had been initiated with the state government directing the state archaeology department to collect all memorabilia relating to the 15th century poet for showcasing them 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 of 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 for the first time. Modi in his ‘Man ki Baat’ programme 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 entire country.

The PM will address a public rally and lay the foundation stone for 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 Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur. The two will then proceed to Maghar in a chopper.