Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati criticized the Congress for proposing Bharat Ratna for Bahujan leader Kanshi Ram, accusing the party of exploiting his name despite its alleged anti-Dalit stance. The criticism followed Rahul Gandhi’s statement suggesting that Kanshi Ram would have become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh if Jawaharlal Nehru were alive today. The remarks were made during a ‘Samajik Parivartan Divas’ event in Lucknow marking Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary.
Mayawati questioned the Congress party’s sincerity and highlighted its historical treatment of Dalit leaders, emphasizing that the party never honored Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna. She also pointed out the lack of respect shown by the Congress after Kanshi Ram’s demise. Alleging that various Dalit-associated organizations were exploiting Kanshi Ram’s legacy for political gains, Mayawati urged vigilance against parties aiming to weaken the BSP, which was founded by Kanshi Ram.
Accusing rival parties of undermining the BSP, Mayawati called for supporters to remain vigilant against such tactics. She emphasized the importance of actively participating in events commemorating Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary to strengthen the BSP’s presence nationwide. March 15, 2026, was highlighted as a significant date for organizing and supporting BSP programs across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
