In a recent statement, BJP MP Arun Kumar Sagar from the SC-reserved Shahjahanpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh has demanded the Bharat Ratna.

India’s highest civilian honor, for Kanshi Ram, the late founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a significant Dalit leader. Sagar’s call has sparked discussions and garnered reactions from various political figures, highlighting the ongoing influence of Kanshi Ram’s legacy and the complexities of Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh.

Sagar’s Demand

Arun Kumar Sagar praised Kanshi Ram as the “Bahujan Nayak,” acknowledging his lifelong dedication to the upliftment of Dalits and other marginalized communities. Sagar emphasized Kanshi Ram’s role in bringing about social change and his sacrifices for the downtrodden, making a strong case for honoring him with the Bharat Ratna. Sagar expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for advocating for Dalit and backward classes, would support this demand.

Background of Arun Kumar Sagar

Sagar, 48, belongs to the Jatav Dalit community and has a significant political background. He began his political career with the BSP, serving as the party’s zonal coordinator and later as a minister of state in the Mayawati-led UP government from 2007 to 2012. After losing the Assembly polls from Powayan in 2012, Sagar joined the BJP in 2015 and was appointed the party’s vice-president for the Braj region. He is currently the only Jatav Dalit BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh.

Support and Criticism

Mayawati’s Reaction

BSP chief Mayawati, Kanshi Ram’s protégé, welcomed Sagar’s demand. She stated that her party would support the move to confer the Bharat Ratna on Kanshi Ram, while also urging the ruling BJP to stop “misleading Dalits.” Mayawati’s reaction highlights the continuing reverence for Kanshi Ram within the BSP and the broader Dalit community.

BJP’s Position

Sagar admitted that he had not yet discussed his demand with the BJP leadership but planned to do so soon. He expressed confidence that the party, which had previously supported conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, would consider his request favorably. Sagar highlighted that Kanshi Ram had also demanded the Bharat Ratna for Ambedkar during the V.P. Singh government, a demand that was eventually fulfilled.

Dalit Politics in Uttar Pradesh

Shift in Dalit Votes

The 2024 elections saw a shift in Dalit votes, which had previously supported the BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. This time, many Dalit voters seemed to lean towards the SP-Congress alliance. Sagar attributed this shift to the INDIA bloc’s propaganda, which falsely claimed that the BJP would alter the Constitution and end reservations, damaging the BJP’s prospects.

Emergence of New Dalit Leaders

The recent elections also saw the emergence of new Dalit leaders such as Chandrashekhar Aazad, who won the Nagina seat, and Akash Anand, who has been reinstated in the BSP. Sagar, however, downplayed their impact on the BJP, asserting that the party continued to enjoy strong support among Dalits in his constituency. He expressed confidence that those who moved away from the BJP would eventually return, realizing their mistake in voting for the SP-Congress combine.

Conclusion

Arun Kumar Sagar’s demand for the Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram underscores the enduring legacy of the Dalit icon and the complexities of Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh. While the demand has garnered support from BSP chief Mayawati, it remains to be seen how the BJP leadership will respond. As Dalit politics continues to evolve, the recognition of Kanshi Ram’s contributions could play a significant role in shaping the political landscape in the state and beyond.