Kanshi Ram - Revision history

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	'''Kanshi Ram''' (15 March 1934 – 9 October 2006), also known as '''Bahujan Nayak'''<ref>{{cite news \|title=Kanshi Ram should be given the Bharat Ratna: Mayawati \|work=DNA \|date=15 March 2016 \|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-should-be-given-the-bharat-ratna-mayawati-2189533 \|access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref> or '''Manyavar'''<ref>{{cite web \| title=How 'manyavar' Kanshiram stood up for a colleague and changed Indian politics \| website=ThePrint \| date=2018-10-09 \| url=https://theprint.in/politics/how-manyavar-kanshiram-stood-up-for-a-colleague-and-changed-indian-politics/131612/ \| access-date=2020-09-17}}</ref> or '''Saheb''',<ref>{{cite news \|title=This bard wants Kanshi Ram loyalists to spread wings \|first=Rajesh Kumar \|last=Singh \|work=Hindustan Times \|date=30 July 2015\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/this-bard-wants-kanshi-ram-loyalists-to-spread-wings/article1-1374661.aspx \|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> was an Indian politician and [[social reformer]] who worked for the upliftment and political mobilisation of the [[Bahujan]]s, the [[untouchability\|backward or lower caste people including untouchable groups]] at the bottom of the [[caste system in India]].<ref name="Narayan 2012">{{cite web \| last=Narayan \| first=Badri \| title=Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram - so alike, yet so different \| website=The Hindu \| date=11 May 2012 \| url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-kanshi-ram-so-alike-yet-so-different/article3405293.ece \| access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref> Towards this end, Kanshi Ram founded [[Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti]] (DS-4), the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees' Federation ([[BAMCEF]]) in 1971 and the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP) in 1984. He ceded leadership of the BSP to his protégé [[Mayawati]] who has served four terms as [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]].		'''Kanshi Ram''' (15 March 1934 – 9 October 2006), also known as '''Bahujan Nayak'''<ref>{{cite news \|title=Kanshi Ram should be given the Bharat Ratna: Mayawati \|work=DNA \|date=15 March 2016 \|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-should-be-given-the-bharat-ratna-mayawati-2189533 \|access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref> or '''Manyavar'''<ref>{{cite web \| title=How 'manyavar' Kanshiram stood up for a colleague and changed Indian politics \| website=ThePrint \| date=2018-10-09 \| url=https://theprint.in/politics/how-manyavar-kanshiram-stood-up-for-a-colleague-and-changed-indian-politics/131612/ \| access-date=2020-09-17}}</ref> or '''Saheb''',<ref>{{cite news \|title=This bard wants Kanshi Ram loyalists to spread wings \|first=Rajesh Kumar \|last=Singh \|work=Hindustan Times \|date=30 July 2015\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/this-bard-wants-kanshi-ram-loyalists-to-spread-wings/article1-1374661.aspx \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814004143/http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/this-bard-wants-kanshi-ram-loyalists-to-spread-wings/article1-1374661.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=14 August 2015 \|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> was an Indian politician and [[social reformer]] who worked for the upliftment and political mobilisation of the [[Bahujan]]s, the [[untouchability\|backward or lower caste people including untouchable groups]] at the bottom of the [[caste system in India]].<ref name="Narayan 2012">{{cite web \| last=Narayan \| first=Badri \| title=Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram - so alike, yet so different \| website=The Hindu \| date=11 May 2012 \| url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-kanshi-ram-so-alike-yet-so-different/article3405293.ece \| access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref> Towards this end, Kanshi Ram founded [[Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti]] (DS-4), the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees' Federation ([[BAMCEF]]) in 1971 and the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP) in 1984. He ceded leadership of the BSP to his protégé [[Mayawati]] who has served four terms as [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]].

	==Early life==		==Early life==
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	==Death==		==Death==
	Ram was a [[diabetes\|diabetic]]. He suffered a heart attack in 1994, an arterial clot in his brain in 1995, and a paralytic [[stroke]] in 2003.<ref name="times">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mobile/Pages/StoryPage.aspx?ID=ada7e2c5-9ca5-4923-bab3-3b391fd38783&BC=Lifestyle-Wellness HT News]</ref> He died in New Delhi on 9 October 2006 of a severe heart attack at the age of 72.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/obituaries/10ram.html\|title=Kanshi Ram, 72, a Voice for India’s Outcasts, Dies\|last=Hevesi\|first=Dennis\|date=2006-10-10\|work=The New York Times\|access-date=2018-05-20\|language=en-US\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He had been virtually bed-ridden for more than two years.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-breathes-his-last-1057545\|title=Kanshi Ram breathes his last \|date=2006-10-09\|work=dna\|access-date=2018-05-20\|language=en-US}}</ref> According to his wishes,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/10kanshi.htm \|title=Kanshi Ram's ashes will not be immersed: Mayavati \|publisher=Rediff.com \|access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref> his funeral rites were performed according to Buddhist tradition, with Mayawati lighting the pyre.<ref name="times"/> His ashes were placed in an urn and kept at Prerna Sthal, where many people paid their respects.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/162979.aspx \|title=Maya gives city traffic blues! \|publisher=Hindustan Times \|date=19 October 2006 \|access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>		Ram was a [[diabetes\|diabetic]]. He suffered a heart attack in 1994, an arterial clot in his brain in 1995, and a paralytic [[stroke]] in 2003.<ref name="times">[https://archive.today/20130125111750/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mobile/Pages/StoryPage.aspx?ID=ada7e2c5-9ca5-4923-bab3-3b391fd38783&BC=Lifestyle-Wellness HT News]</ref> He died in New Delhi on 9 October 2006 of a severe heart attack at the age of 72.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/obituaries/10ram.html\|title=Kanshi Ram, 72, a Voice for India’s Outcasts, Dies\|last=Hevesi\|first=Dennis\|date=2006-10-10\|work=The New York Times\|access-date=2018-05-20\|language=en-US\|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He had been virtually bed-ridden for more than two years.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-breathes-his-last-1057545\|title=Kanshi Ram breathes his last \|date=2006-10-09\|work=dna\|access-date=2018-05-20\|language=en-US}}</ref> According to his wishes,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/10kanshi.htm \|title=Kanshi Ram's ashes will not be immersed: Mayavati \|publisher=Rediff.com \|access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref> his funeral rites were performed according to Buddhist tradition, with Mayawati lighting the pyre.<ref name="times"/> His ashes were placed in an urn and kept at Prerna Sthal, where many people paid their respects.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/162979.aspx \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022094453/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/162979.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=22 October 2012 \|title=Maya gives city traffic blues! \|publisher=Hindustan Times \|date=19 October 2006 \|access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>

	In his condolence message, Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] described Ram as "one of the greatest social reformers of our time .. his political ideas and movements had a significant impact on our political evolution ... He had a larger understanding of social change and was able to unite various underprivileged sections of our society and provide a political platform where their voices would be heard." Under Ram's leadership, the BSP won 14 parliamentary seats in the 1999 federal elections.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6032563.stm Indian Dalit leader passes away]</ref>		In his condolence message, Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] described Ram as "one of the greatest social reformers of our time .. his political ideas and movements had a significant impact on our political evolution ... He had a larger understanding of social change and was able to unite various underprivileged sections of our society and provide a political platform where their voices would be heard." Under Ram's leadership, the BSP won 14 parliamentary seats in the 1999 federal elections.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6032563.stm Indian Dalit leader passes away]</ref>

Pradip89: Created page with "{{Short description|Indian politician}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kanshi Ram |..."

2021-08-05T14:57:17Z

Created page with "{{Short description|Indian politician}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kanshi Ram |..."

New page

{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kanshi Ram
| image = Kanshiram.jpg
| birth_date = 15 March 1934
| birth_place = [[Rupnagar district]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age |2006|10|09|1934|03|15|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], India
| office = Founder-President of the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]
| predecessor = office established
| successor = [[Mayawati]]
| term_start = 14 April 1984
| term_end = 18 September 2003
| constituency_MP1 = [[Hoshiarpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hoshiarpur]]
| parliament1 = Indian
| term_start1 = 1996
| term_end1 = 1998
| predecessor1 = [[Kamal Chaudhry]]
| successor1 = [[Kamal Chaudhry]]
| constituency_MP2 = [[Etawah (Lok Sabha constituency)|Etawah]]
| parliament2 = Indian
| term_start2 = 1991
| term_end2 = 1996
| predecessor2 = Ram Singh Shakya
| successor2 = Ram Singh Shakya
| party = [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]
| children =
| website = {{URL|http://www.bamcef.info/manyawar-shri-kanshiram-ji.php|Kansi Ram Official Website}}
| date =
| year =
| source =
}}
'''Kanshi Ram''' (15 March 1934 – 9 October 2006), also known as '''Bahujan Nayak'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanshi Ram should be given the Bharat Ratna: Mayawati |work=DNA |date=15 March 2016 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-should-be-given-the-bharat-ratna-mayawati-2189533 |access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref> or '''Manyavar'''<ref>{{cite web | title=How 'manyavar' Kanshiram stood up for a colleague and changed Indian politics | website=ThePrint | date=2018-10-09 | url=https://theprint.in/politics/how-manyavar-kanshiram-stood-up-for-a-colleague-and-changed-indian-politics/131612/ | access-date=2020-09-17}}</ref> or '''Saheb''',<ref>{{cite news |title=This bard wants Kanshi Ram loyalists to spread wings |first=Rajesh Kumar |last=Singh |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 July 2015|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/this-bard-wants-kanshi-ram-loyalists-to-spread-wings/article1-1374661.aspx |access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> was an Indian politician and [[social reformer]] who worked for the upliftment and political mobilisation of the [[Bahujan]]s, the [[untouchability|backward or lower caste people including untouchable groups]] at the bottom of the [[caste system in India]].<ref name="Narayan 2012">{{cite web | last=Narayan | first=Badri | title=Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram - so alike, yet so different | website=The Hindu | date=11 May 2012 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-kanshi-ram-so-alike-yet-so-different/article3405293.ece | access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref> Towards this end, Kanshi Ram founded [[Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti]] (DS-4), the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees' Federation ([[BAMCEF]]) in 1971 and the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP) in 1984. He ceded leadership of the BSP to his protégé [[Mayawati]] who has served four terms as [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]].

==Early life==
Kanshi Ram was born to a [[Ramdasia]] [[Sikh]]<ref name="Ramdasia">{{cite web | last=Bal | first=Hartosh Singh | title=The BJP has usurped part of Kanshi Ram’s dream | website=The Caravan | date=2017-04-01 | url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/stolen-turf-bjp-usurped-kanshi-ram-dream | access-date=2020-09-22}}</ref> family of [[Chamar]] caste on 15 March 1934 in [[Ropar district]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘I will be the best PM and Mayawati is my chosen heir’|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/storyOld.php?storyId=23080|access-date=2020-09-21|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref> Some sources say his birthplace was the village of Pirthipur Bunga<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/kejriwal-to-visit-bsp-founder-kanshi-ram-s-family/story-UBJGoXVvIZDM3Pbojua3oO.html|title=Kejriwal to visit BSP founder Kanshi Ram’s family|date=2016-03-07|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en}}</ref> and others that it was Khawaspur village.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-15|title=Kanshi Ram Death Anniversary: Know contributions made by Bahujan Nayak for upliftment of Dalits|url=https://newsd.in/kanshiram-birth-anniversary-know-contributions-made-by-bahujan-nayak-for-upliftment-of-dalits/|access-date=2020-09-21|website=Newsd.in|language=en-US}}</ref>

After studies at various local schools,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bo0AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT25|title=Kanshiram: Leader of the Dalits|last=Narayan|first=Badri|year=2014|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9789351186700|language=en|page=25}}</ref> Ram graduated in 1956 with a [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]] degree from Government College Ropar.<ref name="bose">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N3MGWTeMUNMC&pg=PT35&lpg=PT35|title=Behenji: A Political Biography of Mayawati|last=Bose|first=Ajoy|year=2009|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9788184756500|language=en|page=35}}</ref>

==Career==
Kanshi Ram joined the offices of the Explosive Research and Development Laboratory in Pune<ref name="India 14">{{cite news |title=The man who saw tomorrow |work=The Indian Express |date=24 May 2014 |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/the-man-who-saw-tomorrow-2/ |access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> under the government's [[Reservation in India|scheme of affirmative action]]. It was at this time that he first experienced caste discrimination<ref name="bose"/>{{how|date=March 2019}} and in 1964 he became an activist. Those who admire him point out that he was spurred to this after reading [[B. R. Ambedkar]]'s book ''[[Annihilation of Caste]]'' and witnessing the discrimination against a Dalit employee who wished to observe a holiday celebrating Ambedkar's birth. Kanshi Ram strongly inspired by B. R. Ambedkar and his philosophy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Waghmore|first=Suryakant|title=Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India|page=39|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPenAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA39|publisher=Sage}}</ref>

Ram initially supported the [[Republican Party of India]] (RPI) but became disillusioned with its co-operation with the [[Indian National Congress]]. In 1971, he founded the All India SC, ST, OBC and Minority Employees Association and in 1978 this became BAMCEF, an organisation that aimed to persuade educated members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backwards Classes and Minorities to support Ambedkarite principles. BAMCEF was neither a political nor a religious body and it also had no aims to agitate for its purpose. Suryakant Waghmore says it appealed to "the class among the Dalits that was comparatively well-off, mostly based in urban areas and small towns working as government servants and partially alienated from their untouchable identities".<ref>{{cite book|last=Waghmore|first=Suryakant|title=Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India|page=40|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPenAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA40|publisher=Sage}}</ref>

Later, in 1981, Ram formed another social organisation known as Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DSSSS, or DS4). He started his attempt of consolidating the Dalit vote and in 1984 he founded the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] (BSP). He fought his first election in 1984 from [[Janjgir-Champa (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Janjgir-Champa]] seat in [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/chhattisgarh-polls-towards-a-photo-finish/article5359312.ece|title=Chhattisgarh polls: Towards a photo finish|last=Bagchi|first=Suvojit|date=2013-11-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-08-09|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The BSP found success in [[Uttar Pradesh]], initially struggled to bridge the divide between Dalits and [[Other Backward Class]]es<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?232896 |title=The Dalit Chanakya |first=Ramnarayan |last=Rawat |author-link=Ramnarayan Rawat |work=Outlook |date=23 October 2006 |access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> but later under leadership of Mayawati bridged this gap.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lal|first=Ratan Mani|title=17 castes included Shakyas, Rajbhar, Saini, Maurya and others members of this community are more inclined towards Mayawati and her BSP.|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/why-badaun-gangrape-could-mark-mayawatis-big-political-return-1553959.html}}</ref>

In 1982 he wrote his book ''The Chamcha Age'', in which he used the term ''chamcha'' (stooge) to describe Dalit leaders such as [[Jagjivan Ram]] and [[Ram Vilas Paswan]].<ref name="India 14"/> He argued that Dalits should work politically for their own ends rather than compromise by working with other parties.<ref name="India 2014">{{cite news |title=Return of the chamcha age |work=The Indian Express |date=3 November 2014 |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/return-of-the-chamcha-age/ | access-date=2016-02-27}}</ref>

After forming BSP Ram said the party would fight first election to lose, next to get noticed and the third election to win.<ref>{{cite news|title=a new party loses the first election, gets noticed in the next and wins the third, these are Kanshiram ji's words - Yogendra Yadav|url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/yogendra-yadav-on-swaraj-india-we-need-a-secular-politics-that-is-not-shy-of-offending-anyone-1475938166.html}}</ref> In 1988 he contested [[Allahabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Allahabad seat]] up against a future Prime Minister [[V. P. Singh]] and performed impressively but lost polling close to 70,000 votes.<ref>{{cite news|last1=SUBRAHMANIAM|first1=VIDYA|title=A quarter century of Kanshi Ram & Mayawati|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-quarter-century-of-kanshi-ram-mayawati/article261256.ece}}</ref>

He unsuccessfully contested from [[East Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)]] (against HKL Bhagat) and [[Amethi (Lok Sabha constituency)]] (against Rajiv Gandhi) in 1989 and came in the third position on both the seats. Then he represented the 11th [[Lok Sabha]] (1996-1998) from [[Hoshiarpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hoshiarpur]],<ref name="IIS Windows Server 1934">{{cite web | title=Biographical Sketch of Member of XI Lok Sabha: KANSHI RAM, SHRI B.S.P. - HOSHIARPUR (PUNJAB) | website=IIS Windows Server | date=15 March 1934 | url=http://164.100.47.192/loksabha/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/3518.htm | access-date=2016-05-02 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Kanshiram was also elected as member of [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Etawah (Lok Sabha constituency)|Etawah]] in Uttar Pradesh. In 2001 he publicly announced [[Mayawati]] as his successor.

In the late 1990s, Ram described the BJP as the most corrupt (''mahabrasht'') party in India and the [[Indian National Congress|Indian National Congress INC]], [[Samajwadi Party]] and [[Janata Dal]] as equally corrupt.<ref name="India Today 15041997 1997">{{cite web | title=Continuity of govt policies may be a casualty as BJP, BSP take turns to rule | website=India Today 15041997 | date=15 April 1997 | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/continuity-of-govt-policies-may-be-casualty-as-bjp-bsp-take-turns-to-rule/1/275675.html | access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref><ref name="Rediff.com 1998">{{cite web | title=Rediff On The NeT Elections '98: BSP to vote against Vajpayee | website=Rediff.com | date=20 March 1998 | url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/mar/20kanshi.htm | access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref>

==Proposed conversion to Buddhism==
In 2002, Ram announced his intention to convert to [[Buddhism]] on 14 October 2006, the 50th anniversary of [[Ambedkar]]'s conversion. He intended for 50,000,000 of his supporters to convert at the same time. Part of the significance of this plan was that Ram's followers include not only untouchables, but persons from a variety of castes, who could significantly broaden Buddhism's support. However, he died on 9 October 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/10/stories/2006101003771200.htm|title=Kanshi Ram cremated as per Buddhist rituals |work=The Hindu |date=2006-10-10 |access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref>

Mayawati his successor said "Saheb Kanshi Ram and I had decided that we will convert and adopt Buddhism when we will get "absolute majority" at the Centre. We wanted to do this because we can make a difference to the religion by taking along with us millions of people. If we convert without power then only we two will be converting. But when you have power you can really create a stir".<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/16look.htm?zcc=rl Mayawati claims Saheb Kanshi Ram's legacy]</ref>

==Death==
Ram was a [[diabetes|diabetic]]. He suffered a heart attack in 1994, an arterial clot in his brain in 1995, and a paralytic [[stroke]] in 2003.<ref name="times">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mobile/Pages/StoryPage.aspx?ID=ada7e2c5-9ca5-4923-bab3-3b391fd38783&BC=Lifestyle-Wellness HT News]</ref> He died in New Delhi on 9 October 2006 of a severe heart attack at the age of 72.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/obituaries/10ram.html|title=Kanshi Ram, 72, a Voice for India’s Outcasts, Dies|last=Hevesi|first=Dennis|date=2006-10-10|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He had been virtually bed-ridden for more than two years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kanshi-ram-breathes-his-last-1057545|title=Kanshi Ram breathes his last |date=2006-10-09|work=dna|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> According to his wishes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/10kanshi.htm |title=Kanshi Ram's ashes will not be immersed: Mayavati |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref> his funeral rites were performed according to Buddhist tradition, with Mayawati lighting the pyre.<ref name="times"/> His ashes were placed in an urn and kept at Prerna Sthal, where many people paid their respects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/162979.aspx |title=Maya gives city traffic blues! |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=19 October 2006 |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>

In his condolence message, Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] described Ram as "one of the greatest social reformers of our time .. his political ideas and movements had a significant impact on our political evolution ... He had a larger understanding of social change and was able to unite various underprivileged sections of our society and provide a political platform where their voices would be heard." Under Ram's leadership, the BSP won 14 parliamentary seats in the 1999 federal elections.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6032563.stm Indian Dalit leader passes away]</ref>

==Books==
In 1982, Ram wrote ''The Chamcha Age'' (The Era of the Stooges), a book in which he used the term ''chamcha'' (stooge) for Dalit leaders who he alleged had selfish reasons to work for parties such as the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC)<ref name="India 14"/> and [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref name="India 2014"/> His book ''Birth of BAMCEF'' was also published.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/loksabha/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/3518.htm|title=Biographical Sketch of Member of XI Lok Sabha|website=164.100.47.194|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref> His biography, ''Kanshiram: Leader Of The Dalits'' was written by Badri Narayan Tiwari.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dalitliterature.com/product/kanshiram-leader-of-the-dalits/|title=Kanshiram: Leader of the Dalits {{!}} DALITLITERATURE|website=DALITLITERATURE|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/L6346mmJ2rPkz3gKWfoo3O/Book-Review--Kanshiram-Leader-Of-The-Dalits.html|title=Book Review {{!}} Kanshiram: Leader Of The Dalits|last=Bose|first=Ajoy|date=2014-05-31|work=livemint|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref> His speeches are compiled in books like ''Bahujan Nayak Kanshiram Ke Avismarniya Bhashan'' by Anuj Kumar, ''Writings & Speeches of Kanshiram'' compiled by S. S. Gautam and ''The Editorials of Kanshi Ram'' by Bahujan Samaj Publications in 1997.

==Legacy==
[[File:Image of India.jpg|thumb|Statues of Mayawati (L) and Kanshi Ram (R) at [[Ambedkar Memorial Park]]]]
There are many government programmes and schemes<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Kanshi-Ram-Shahri-Samagraya-Vikas-Yojna-developed/articleshow/4163383.cms|title=Kanshi Ram Shahri Samagraya Vikas Yojna developed|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Kanshiram-housing-scheme-gets-Rs-100Cr-in-new-avatar/articleshow/18082791.cms|title=Kanshiram housing scheme gets Rs 100Cr in new avatar |work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref> and public institutions named after Kanshi Ram in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/OPD-at-Kanshiram-hospital-in-Greater-Noida-starts/articleshow/19353484.cms|title=OPD at Kanshiram hospital in Greater Noida starts|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mkitm.com/vission_mission.htm|title=::Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management::|last=Upaddhayay|first=Dr. Sunil|website=www.mkitm.com|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-after-bloody-trail-cops-clamp-down-on-celebratory-firing/story-Pm1WoGfn2IkJn5BkRq9dsN.html|title=Kanshiram Memorial Trauma Centre Kanpur|date=2018-05-02|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/govt-to-drop-kanshiram-from-urdufarsi-university/|title=Govt to drop Kanshiram from Urdu-Farsi university|date=2012-06-17|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> His birthplace Pirthipur Bunga Sahib has a memorial with his statue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/dalit-bsp-leader-arvind-kejriwal-give-bharat-ratna-to-kanshi-ram/|title=Kejriwal wants Bharat Ratna for Dalit leader Kanshi Ram, gets Dullo’s backing|date=2016-03-16|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Green Eco Garden]] in Lucknow has been named in his memory.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Eco-friendly-Mayawati-gifts-Rs-834-cr-park/articleshow/7623582.cms|title='Eco-friendly' Mayawati gifts Rs 834 cr park - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref>

==Biopic==
{{anchor|The Great Leader Kanshiram}} In 2017, a [[Hindi]]-language [[Biographical film|Biopic]] film ''[[The Great Leader Kanshiram]]'' was released in India, directed and produced by Arjun Singh,<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ready-for-release-a-film-on-the-journey-of-kanshiram-the-great/articleshow/57054683.cms|title=Ready for release: A film on the journey of Kanshiram 'the great' - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/breaking-caste-barriers-to-script-their-own-stories/story-UDstlkLENxkROJ3wmzyvlJ.html|title=3 Dalit youngsters who are breaking caste barriers to script own stories|date=2016-03-12|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref> based on the story of [[Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti|DS4]], [[BAMCEF]] and [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] founder Kanshi Ram from his childhood to 1984.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok11/biodata/11pn06.htm Profile on Parliament of India]
* [http://www.ambedkartimes.com/sahib_kanshi_ram.htm Shri Kanshi Ram ]
* [http://www.bspindia.org/manyawar-shri-kanshiram-ji.php Profile on Bahujan Samaj Party website]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ram, Kanshi}}
[[Category:Dalit politicians]]
[[Category:11th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian socialists]]
[[Category:Bahujan Samaj Party politicians]]
[[Category:People from Hoshiarpur]]
[[Category:Indian political party founders]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Former Sikhs]]
[[Category:People from Rupnagar district]]
[[Category:10th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:People from Etawah district]]
[[Category:Ambedkarites]]