Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati paid tribute to party founder Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary, recalling his social and political contributions. She said he played an important role in politically empowering Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes and other disadvantaged sections of society.
In a post on social media platform X, Mayawati said Kanshi Ram dedicated his life to uniting people facing social inequality and caste-based discrimination. His efforts aimed not only to secure political representation for disadvantaged communities but also to promote self-respect, dignity and awareness of their rights.
In her message, Mayawati described Kanshi Ram as a messiah of the Bahujan community and said he showed disadvantaged sections how to understand and exercise the power of political authority. According to her, his movement played an important role in advancing Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas of social justice, equality and self-respect.
Mayawati said Kanshi Ram politically organised people who had faced social and economic inequalities for a long time. By presenting the right to vote as an effective means of bringing about change, he encouraged disadvantaged communities to strengthen their participation in the democratic system.
She also emphasised that participation in political power was necessary for social change. According to Mayawati, Kanshi Ram's efforts enabled members of the Bahujan community to recognise their political strength and play an active role in the democratic process.
Referring to Kanshi Ram's political movement, Mayawati also discussed her governments in Uttar Pradesh. She said his mission and ideology provided the Bahujan Samaj Party with a b political base in the state. During this political journey, Mayawati became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh four times.
Mayawati said her governments sought to prioritise social transformation, public welfare and development. She also linked Kanshi Ram's ideas to the legacy of social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Kanshi Ram worked for an extended period to organise the Bahujan community and transform its collective strength into political power. The BSP's rise to power in Uttar Pradesh marked a significant development in Dalit politics and social representation.
In her message, Mayawati highlighted the importance of social equality, self-respect and economic emancipation. She said the struggles of social reformers were aimed at building a society in which every individual could access equal opportunities and rights.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar made significant contributions to the drafting of the Indian Constitution and the advancement of social equality, while Jyotiba Phule raised his voice against caste-based discrimination and social inequality.
Inspired by these ideas, Kanshi Ram worked to increase the participation of disadvantaged communities through political organisation. The ideas of these social reformers continue to feature in the BSP's political discourse. The party has consistently presented equality, representation and the rights of disadvantaged sections as key issues in its political and social campaigns.
The Bahujan Samaj Party announced that tribute programmes were being organised across various districts to mark Kanshi Ram's death anniversary. Party workers and supporters recalled his contributions at these events.
Mayawati was also scheduled to participate in a programme to pay tribute to Kanshi Ram by offering flowers at his statue. On such occasions, BSP leaders and workers remember his ideas, social movement and political legacy.
