CM Rekha Gupta pays tribute to Kanshi Ram on death anniversary
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid her respects to Kanshi Ram, founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, on his death anniversary on October 9, 2026, calling him a fierce champion of social justice and honouring his work for equality and Dalit empowerment.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta posted a tribute to Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary, October 9, 2026 .
She described him as a 'fierce champion of social justice' and founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) .
The tribute acknowledged his work in awakening deprived communities to their rights and increasing their social participation.
Kanshi Ram founded the BSP in 1984 and passed away on October 9, 2006 .
The cross-party nature of the tribute underlines Kanshi Ram's broad legacy beyond the BSP's own base.
On the death anniversary of Kanshi Ram, the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and one of independent India's most consequential social-justice architects, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta offered a tribute on Friday, October 9, 2026, remembering his lifelong mission to empower the marginalised.
In her post, CM Gupta described Kanshi Ram as a 'saamajik nyaay ke prarkhar purodha' — 'a fierce champion of social justice' — and acknowledged his foundational role in awakening Dalit, backward, and exploited communities to their constitutional rights. She wrote that his contributions toward increasing the participation of deprived sections in mainstream society remain deeply significant, and that his efforts for equality, dignity, and social harmony will always be remembered.
Kanshi Ram, born on March 15, 1934, in Punjab's Ropar district, dedicated his life to organising India's Bahujan communities — encompassing Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes — into a cohesive political force. He founded the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984, building it from a grassroots cadre movement into a party that would eventually form governments in Uttar Pradesh. His core philosophy drew from the social reform legacy of B.R. Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule, insisting that political power alone could guarantee social liberation. He passed away on October 9, 2006.
Rekha Gupta's tribute is notable for its cross-party character — she leads the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Delhi, while Kanshi Ram founded and remains the spiritual centre of the BSP, a rival political formation. Such gestures reflect the weight Kanshi Ram's legacy carries across ideological lines, particularly among voters from Scheduled Caste communities who constitute a significant share of Delhi's electorate.
Twenty years after his passing, Kanshi Ram's insistence on representation and dignity continues to shape the vocabulary of Indian electoral politics — a reminder that movements, not just parties, write history.
Point of View
Leading a party that competes directly with the BSP for Scheduled Caste votes in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, this tribute is both a gesture of genuine respect and a piece of careful political messaging. It reflects the BJP's broader strategic effort under its 'social harmony' framing to broaden its appeal among Dalit and backward communities. Kanshi Ram's philosophy of political representation as the path to social dignity remains a live and contested idea in contemporary Indian democracy.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kanshi Ram die?
Kanshi Ram passed away on October 9, 2006 , in New Delhi, after prolonged illness. His death anniversary is observed annually on this date.
Who was Kanshi Ram and what did he do?
Kanshi Ram was the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) , established in 1984 . He dedicated his life to organising Dalit, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class communities into a united political force, drawing inspiration from B.R. Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule.
Why did Rekha Gupta pay tribute to Kanshi Ram?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid tribute on his death anniversary to honour his contribution to social justice and the empowerment of marginalised communities, recognising a legacy that is acknowledged across party lines in Indian politics.
When was the Bahujan Samaj Party founded?
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984 , with the goal of uniting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes into a single political movement.
What is Kanshi Ram's legacy in Indian politics?
Kanshi Ram's legacy lies in transforming Bahujan communities from a social movement into a decisive electoral force. His philosophy that political power is the key to social liberation continues to shape Dalit politics and the broader discourse on representation and dignity in India.
