Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Wednesday demanded that party founder Kanshi Ram should get the Bharat Ratna even as she welcomed the central government’s decision to confer the award on former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur.
Mayawati lauded Thakur for his commitment to social justice and equality and his work for the extremely backward classes.
“Today, on his 100th birth anniversary, I pay immense tribute to the great leader Shri Karpoori Thakur ji, who fought to ensure constitutional right, social justice and equality to the extremely backward classes in the country throughout his life,” the BSP chief posted on ‘X’.
Mayawati said she welcomed the Centre’s “belated decision” to award Thakur with the title of Bharat Ratna –the country’s highest civilian honour.
She also said that BSP founder Kanshi Ram should also get the honour for his contribution in helping Dalits live with self-respect.
“The contribution of BSP founder, who is known for helping the Dalits and other neglected people to live with self-respect and for making them stand on their feet, is historic and unforgettable. It is the wish of crores of people that he should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.”
On Tuesday, Thakur, a two-time Bihar chief minister, was named for the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna posthumously.
