Mumbai, March 15 Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday supported the demand to bestow the Bharat Ratna on BSP founder Kanshi Ram, as he praised the contributions made by Kanshi Ram in uniting and empowering the Bahujan community.
Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of a program, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said Kanshi Ram worked to secure justice for marginalized communities.
On the occasion of Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary, Yadav highlighted the need to continue the fight for social justice and equality as envisioned by Dr B. R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram.
"Kanshi Ramji followed Ambedkar's vision to secure rights and justice for marginalized communities. There was a time when Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and Kanshi Ramji formed a joint government in UP, also strengthening the BSP," he said.
Responding to a query, Yadav said, "We feel Kanshi Ram should be given the Bharat Ratna honor."
Yadav disclosed that he aligned with the BSP in 2019 with the aim of supporting "Mayawati as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate, though the alliance didn't succeed."
"Kanshi Ramji worked for uniting and empowering the Bahujan community. The Samajwadi Party will uphold these ideals in future political struggles. There is a need to continue the fight for social justice and equality as envisioned by B R Ambedkar and Kanshi Ramji," the SP leader added.