Mayawati reiterates demand of Bharat Ratna for BSP founder Kanshi Ram 

Mayawati demands Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram on Republic Day, urging assessment of government progress in improving citizens' living standards.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Monday (January 26, 2026) greeted people on the occasion of Republic Day and reiterated her demand for a Bharat Ratna for the BSP’s founder Kanshi Ram.

“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all those who have been awarded Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri and the highest gallantry award for their outstanding service in various fields on Republic Day and to their families. But it would be appropriate if the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Shri Kanshi Ram Ji, who dedicated his entire life to the struggle of making crores of poor, exploited, oppressed and neglected people of the ‘Bahujan Samaj’ stand on their own feet and give them a life of self-respect and self-esteem, is honoured with the Bharat Ratna without any further delay as per the wish of crores of his followers across the country, which the BSP has been demanding continuously,” the BSP chief posted on X.

She also emphasised the need to evaluate progress against Constitutional promises. “Congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen and all the Indian citizens living across the world and their families on the 77th Republic Day today. While we are proud of our excellent Constitution today, it holds special significance only when, leaving aside the tall claims and alluring promises of the government, an honest assessment is made as to whether the Central and State governments are merely deceptive or whether, in accordance with the true intention of the Constitution for the welfare of all, the country has made much-needed improvement in the standard of living of the people by making the required development in the field of political, social and economic democracy. Only by doing so can the path to freedom from the burning problems of the country be paved,” the BSP leader said.