'BJP Ignoring Dalit Icons': BSP Chief Mayawati Demands Bharat Ratna For Kanshiram

BSP Chief Mayawati also reitereated her demand for Bharat Ratna to BSP founder Kanshiram for his contribution in empowering the dalits socially and economically. 

Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati

Source : PTI

Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati on Friday charged BJP-led central government over ignoring Dalit icons while awarding Bharat Ratna to LK Advani, former PM PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan. Taking to X, Mayawati stated: "All the personalities who have been honored with Bharat Ratna by the present BJP government are welcome, but in this matter, it is not appropriate to disrespect and ignore especially the Dalit personalities. The government must pay attention to this also." 

She also reitereated her demand for Bharat Ratna to BSP founder Kanshiram for his contribution in empowering the dalits socially and economically. 

She stated: "After a long wait, Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was honored with the title of Bharat Ratna by the government of Shri VP Singh. After that, the struggle done by respected Shri Kanshiram ji, the messiah of the Dalits and the neglected, in their interests is no less. He should also be honored with Bharat Ratna." 

1. वर्तमान भाजपा सरकार द्वारा जिन भी हस्तियों को भारतरत्न से सम्मानित किया गया हैै उसका स्वागत है, लेकिन इस मामले में ख़ासकर दलित हस्तियों का तिरस्कार एवं उपेक्षा करना कतई उचित नहीं। सरकार इस ओर भी ज़रूर ध्यान दे।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 9, 2024

The remarks came after PM Modi announced that PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan will be confered the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India. 

BSP President Mayawati made the demand last month after Rashtrapati Bhavan declared that notable socialist politician and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be given the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

Kanshi Ram, a supporter of social reformer Bhimrao Ambedkar, died at the age of 72 in 2006.