Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has renewed her demand for the Bharat Ratna for party founder Kanshi Ram, asserting that the interests, welfare and dignity of the Bahujan Samaj remain her foremost priorities.
Paying floral tributes to Kanshi Ram on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas at the BSP’s central camp office at 9 Mall Avenue in Lucknow, Mayawati pledged to carry forward his ideology and mission. Senior party functionaries, including BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand, were present at the event.
Mayawati described the crores of people belonging to the Bahujan Samaj as her true family and reiterated her commitment to keeping the party and its movement free from dynastic politics.
Recalling Kanshi Ram’s contribution to the social justice movement inspired by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, she said he dedicated his life to building a movement centred on self-respect, dignity and political empowerment. His mission, she said, was to transform the Bahujan Samaj from an exploited section of society into a ruling class.
She also reaffirmed her resolve to honour the trust Kanshi Ram had placed in her by declaring her his successor. Referring to his teachings, Mayawati said political power should be secured through constitutional rights, particularly the right to vote, rather than dependence on the goodwill of others.
Renewing her appeal to the Central government, the BSP chief said Kanshi Ram deserved the country’s highest civilian honour in recognition of his contribution to social change and the sentiments of the Bahujan community. Citing the Bharat Ratna conferred on Dr Ambedkar, she called for similar national recognition for Kanshi Ram.
With Assembly elections approaching in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab, Mayawati urged party leaders and workers to intensify their organisational efforts and dedicate themselves to advancing the movement. She said strengthening the BSP was essential to ensuring that questions concerning the community’s self-respect and dignity received due attention.
Mayawati also addressed broader public welfare concerns, including poverty, inflation, unemployment, illiteracy and social backwardness. She said creating a favourable atmosphere for a limited section of society could not ensure prosperity for the entire country unless these persistent challenges were addressed through concrete and sustainable measures.
Emphasising education, healthcare, roads and employment as fundamental public welfare priorities, she urged governments to fulfil their responsibilities rather than rely excessively on the private sector. Public services, she maintained, should be guided by constitutional principles and people’s welfare rather than solely by commercial considerations.
Referring to the growing awareness among Gen Z and Gen Alpha about education, employment and infrastructure, Mayawati called for tangible action instead of promises. She also stressed the need for accountability over electoral commitments, administrative failures and corruption.
FOLLOW NOW
