A committed Ambedkarite, due to Kanshiram, Phule, Shahuji Maharaj, Narayana Guru became household names in UP

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat

Kanshiram, whose 89th birth anniversary fell on March 15, was indeed one of the greatest political leaders of our time. Whatever he did was for the greater good of the Bahujan Samaj. In modern times, I can say with complete honesty that he was the person who popularized the term Bahujan among the Indian masses. Though the word originated during the time of Buddha and was later used by the revolutionary Jyotirao Phule, it was Kanshiram, in the pure political sense, who brought it into the lives of millions demanding their rights with dignity.

Kanshiram was deeply dedicated to Ambedkarite thought. Yet, it is also true that Phule, Shahuji Maharaj, and Narayana Guru became household names, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, after the rise of the BSP. However, BSP gradually removed EVR Periyar from its posters and banners due to various political considerations.

Still, it is worth remembering that Periyar visited Uttar Pradesh and interacted with people at the invitation of organizations like the Arjak Sangh, led by Lalai Singh Yadav, and the All India Backward Classes Front, led by Shyam Sundar of Hyderabad, in the 1960s.

One thing I greatly admired about Kanshiram was his brutal honesty and authenticity. I have seen many politicians change their language and style once they come to power. Kanshiram was different. He remained the same with his cadres, remembering their names and staying connected with them. His attire resonated with the common person, and he was ready to go to any length to serve the interests of the Bahujan Samaj.

Today, many Ambedkarite activists deeply miss him. The continuous decline of the BSP as a political force has hurt a large number of Kanshiram's dedicated cadres, who were once ready to sacrifice their lives for the party’s cause. Kanshiram was a pragmatist, yet he never compromised on the interests of his community. Though BSP, as a political party, might be struggling, for thousands of his missionary supporters, it remains an emotion even today. That emotion must be respected by the party leadership if it wishes to remain politically relevant in the future.

Kanshiram always remained grounded and stood with the workers of the party. No party can succeed if it ignores its honest and dedicated cadres. BSP was once a different party, where loyalty to the leadership was beyond question.

The politics of Kanshiram was not about abusing 'others', but about educating his own cadres. BSP never supported abusive politics, even as it distanced itself from brahmanical rituals and events. In recent times, the party has focused more on managing different groups, with its leader, Ms. Mayawati, being extremely careful in her public statements. Unlike many leaders, Ms. Mayawati is often seen as reasonable and responsible, speaking with great caution and full accountability. She stands as a testament to how a responsible leader was nurtured by Kanshiram.

Today's youth, who claim to follow Ambedkarism while using unnecessary, violent, and abusive language against others, may find satisfaction in their isolated worlds, but this approach won't help them in the larger struggle. Kanshiram respected grounded individuals—especially those who came to him not with complaints, but with ideas and a sense of pride in their work. This is why, at one point, many bureaucrats looking for greener pastures during BSP rule were carefully avoided.

Today, BSP needs to follow Kanshiram's mission. This will only be possible if the party nurtures young people and gives them opportunities, just as Kanshiram did while building the party. The leadership must listen, guide, and stay active on the ground, working quietly and consistently.

The best tribute to Kanshiram would be to ensure that BSP remains a missionary party. Remember this: BSP might have faltered in recent years, but it can rise again. It is not finished. A mission never ends. The rise of BSP forced brahmanical parties to respect Dr. Ambedkar and the Dalit struggle for dignity. That remains BSP’s and Kanshiram's greatest achievement. Many Dalits who have gained positions in other parties owe it to the rise of an autonomous Ambedkarite party like the BSP.

In a democracy, all political parties have the right to formulate their strategies and action plans. Despite its failures in recent years, I still hope that BSP will remain active in the greater interest of Bahujan Samaj.

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog