Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leaders Honor Kanshi Ram on Birth Anniversary

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alongside senior Congress figures, paid tribute to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary, celebrating his legacy as a champion of social justice. Born on March 15, 1934, in Punjab’s Ropar district to a Ramdasia Sikh Scheduled Caste family, Kanshi Ram devoted his life to uplifting marginalized communities—Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Backward Classes, and others—earning the title “Bahujan Nayak.”

Kanshi Ram founded pivotal organizations like the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) in 1971, the Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS-4), and the BSP in 1984, later handing its reins to Mayawati, who became Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister four times. His work reshaped political representation for the underprivileged.

On X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Respectful tributes to the great social reformer, Honourable Kanshi Ram ji. His struggle for Dalit and deprived rights will guide our fight for justice.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed this, stating, “Kanshi Ram ji connected the exploited and Backward Classes to Indian politics, leaving an indelible mark as a pioneer of equality.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra added, “His thoughts elevated social justice and constitutional values, inspiring generations.”