Rahul Gandhi to attend Kanshi Ram event in Lucknow on March 13: What’s behind the Congress leader’s move?

“The programme will focus on Kanshi Ram’s contribution to the struggle for social justice and empowerment of marginalised communities. Rahul Gandhi is expected to highlight the relevance of Kanshi Ram’s ideas in contemporary politics and reiterate the Congress’s commitment to issues concerning Dalits and other disadvantaged sections,” a party leader said.

The event is seen as part of the broader effort made by the Congress to strengthen its engagement with Dalit leaders and intellectuals in Uttar Pradesh, a state where Kanshi Ram built the BSP into a major political force.

Kanshi Ram, who founded the BSP in 1984, is credited with mobilising Dalits and other marginalised communities into a powerful political constituency in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. His birth anniversary on March 15 is observed by his followers, especially the Bahujan Samaj Party.

This year, the Samajwadi Party has also announced that it will mark the occasion in a big way and mark the day as PDA Diwas. BSP president Mayawati has slammed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for doing so, calling it “pure political drama”. She also said that the SP’s “conduct, character and face” have historically reflected disrespect towards leaders and icons of the Bahujan society.

The Assembly election in the state is just a year away.