JAMMU, Mar 15: The Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Bahu Fort, Jammu, celebrated the birth anniversary of Bahujan Nayak Manyavar Kanshi Ram Sahib with great respect and enthusiasm at the premises of Gurudwara Shri Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj, Bahu Fort. A large number of social activists, intellectuals, and members of the community gathered to pay tribute to the renowned social reformer and leader who dedicated his life to the upliftment of marginalized sections of society.
Speakers on the occasion highlighted the life, struggle, and contribution of Manyavar Kanshi Ram, who was born on March 15, 1934, in Pirthipur Bunga village near Khawaspur in Ropar district of Punjab. They recalled that he completed his primary education from Malikpur, passed the 8th class from Islamic Madarsa Ropar in 1948, completed his matriculation from DAV School Ropar in 1950, and later obtained a B.Sc. degree from Punjab University in 1956.
Speaking on the occasion, Sham Lal Basson, General Secretary of Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha Bahu Fort, said that Kanshi Ram had qualified for the Survey of India examination but chose not to join the training in Dehradun. Later, he was selected as a Junior Scientist at the Central Institute of Military Explosives in Poona (now Pune).
Basson narrated a significant incident that transformed Kanshi Ram’s life. The cancellation of two important holidays—Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti—by the administration led to protests by Dina Bana Ji of the Valmiki community, who was subsequently suspended. Kanshi Ram took the matter to court, after which Dina Bana was reinstated and the holidays were restored. This event deeply influenced Kanshi Ram, who later resigned from his government service in 1964 to dedicate his life to the social and political awakening of the Bahujan community.
Basson further revealed that Kanshi Ram wrote a 24-page letter to his family, pledging that he would not purchase a house, marry, attend family functions, take up a job, or open a bank account. He remained fully committed to the cause of social justice throughout his life.
Dr. Rajinder Sambyal, President of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Welfare Association Greater Kailash, Jammu, said that Kanshi Ram founded the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMSEF) on December 6, 1978, which later became a strong platform for social mobilization. He also mentioned the formation of Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS-4) on December 6, 1981, which organized massive cycle rallies across the country.
He also highlighted that Behen Mayawati, the political successor of Kanshi Ram, went on to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times during 1995, 1997, 2002–03, and 2007–2012, carrying forward the vision of Bahujan empowerment.
M.R. Bangotra, Retired CEO, shared his personal experiences of meeting Kanshi Ram when he visited Jammu for the first time. He said Kanshi Ram’s greatest legacy in Indian politics was organizing Dalits, Backward Classes, and Minorities (Bahujans) and transforming them into a powerful political force. He credited Kanshi Ram for awakening Dalit consciousness and placing the keys of political power in the hands of marginalized communities.
Prithvi Singh, President of All J&K Batwal Sabha, said that the Bahujan community strongly supports the UGC and the SC/ST Act, and emphasized that Kanshi Ram’s greatest contribution was convincing the Bahujan Samaj that they could become rulers rather than merely a vote bank.
Several other speakers including Prof. G.L. Thapa (President JKRCEA), Bihari Lal Digra (Retd Principal), Mohinder Bhagat (State President Bhagat Mahasabha), Pawan Bhagat (Chairman Bhagat Mahasabha), Baldev Raj Nargotra (Bahu Fort Development Committee), Prof. C.L. Shivgotra, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the life, mission, and political journey of Kanshi Ram.
They noted that Kanshi Ram contested the 1984 Lok Sabha election from Janjgir-Champa (Chhattisgarh), the 1988 election from Allahabad against V.P. Singh, and the 1989 election from Amethi, before winning the Lok Sabha seat from Etawah in 1991 and later from Hoshiarpur in 1996.
The speakers said that Kanshi Ram led a powerful social movement against caste discrimination and gave Dalits a strong sense of self-respect, political identity, and social justice, which continues to influence Indian politics today.
Those who paid floral tributes to Manyavar Kanshi Ram Ji included Er. R.C. Bhasin, Er. Darshan Kalsotra, Master Tara Chand (Retd ZEO), Er. Joginder Pal (President SC/ST Retired Employees Forum), Er. V.K. Kundal (Retd Executive Engineer), C.D. Shivgotra, Dr. V.K. Shivgotra, Dr. Buti Ram, M.L. Banalia (Former General Secretary All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha), Sudesh Bangotra, Advocate Sudershan Kumar, Sanjay Kalsi, Ricky Kumar, Rajat Kumar, Kasturi Lal, Rattan Lal, Ram Lal, Tej Ram, Sunesh Kumar, Surjeet Singh Heer, and several other prominent members of the community.
The programme concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to carry forward the ideals of Manyavar Kanshi Ram Sahib and continue working for social equality, empowerment of marginalized communities, and the realization of a just and inclusive society.