Rahul Gandhi calls for Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram

Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha and senior Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has urged the federal government to confer the Bharat Ratna on Kanshi Ram, the Dalit icon and founding father of the Bahujan Samaj Celebration (BSP), describing him as a “image of empowerment and hope.”

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Kanshi Ram’s delivery anniversary, Mr. Gandhi credited him with strengthening the foundations of Indian democracy. This isn’t the primary time he has made such a requirement.

At a public assembly in Lucknow on Friday (March 13, 2026), the place he had claimed that had India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru been alive, Kanshi Ram would have turn into a Congress Chief Minister, the get together had made related demand. The Congress’s new discovered consideration on Kanshi Ram, who died in 2006, has irked BSP supremo Mayawati, who cautioned her voters and cadres to be alert to what she described as makes an attempt to acceptable Kanshi Ram’s legacy.

Additionally Learn | Mayawati accuses Congress of misusing Kanshi Ram’s identify for political good points

In his letter to Mr. Modi, Mr. Gandhi mentioned Kanshi Ram remodeled the character of Indian politics. “By way of his actions, he raised political consciousness amongst Bahujans and the poor. He reminded them that their vote, voice, and illustration are vital, and that this nation belongs to everybody equally,” he wrote. Kanshi Ram’s efforts, he added, paved the best way for a lot of who had by no means thought-about getting into public life to see politics as a way to realize justice and equality.

“Our Structure guarantees equality, dignity, and participation for each Indian. Kanshi Ram ji devoted his life to creating these guarantees significant for these on the very backside of society. In doing so, he strengthened the foundations of Indian democracy and made our political system extra consultant and simply,” Mr. Gandhi mentioned, noting that this demand has been constantly raised for a number of years.

Additionally Learn |  Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram — so alike, but so totally different

“Conferring the Bharat Ratna on him posthumously would recognise his immense contribution to our nation. It could honour the aspirations of hundreds of thousands who proceed to view him as a logo of empowerment and hope,” he added.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge mentioned Kanshi Ram’s contribution to the battle for social justice and equality would stay an inspiration.

Learn | Mayawati reiterates demand of Bharat Ratna for BSP founder Kanshi Ram 

Congress normal secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described Kanshi Ram as a social justice hero and a fierce voice for disadvantaged and exploited communities, including that his “concepts will eternally proceed to encourage us all.”