In a strategic move ahead of the crucial 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has meticulously identified more than a dozen prominent Dalit icons whose legacies it plans to invoke. This initiative forms part of a larger blueprint to consolidate the Scheduled Caste community across the state.
Calendar of Commemoration
According to sources within the Uttar Pradesh BJP, the party has prepared an extensive calendar marking the birth and death anniversaries of at least fifteen Dalit ideologues. These figures played pivotal roles as social reformers by awakening consciousness among socially deprived sections of society.
Prominent Figures Featured
The Dalit personalities who will feature prominently in the BJP's future Dalit-centric campaigns include:
- BSP founder Kanshi Ram
- Sant Ravi Das and Sant Gadge
- Constitution architect BR Ambedkar
- Social reformer Jyotiba Phule
- Historical figures Gangu Baba, Uda Devi, and Jhalkari Bai
- Community leaders Veera Pasi and Lakhan Pasi
- Education pioneer Savitri Bai Phule
- Freedom fighter Tilka Manjhi
- Rama Bai Ambedkar and Swami Acchutanand
- Spiritual leader Narayan Guru
Strategic Political Objectives
Confirming these developments, UP BJP SC Morcha chief Ram Chandra Kannaujia emphasized that the initiative aims to give due respect to every Dalit icon while spreading their ideas and teachings widely. "The BJP acknowledges Kanshiram as a powerful voice of Dalits, the underprivileged, and the exploited," Kannaujia stated during an interview.
He further revealed that the party extended birthday greetings to BSP chief Mayawati on January 15, signaling a nuanced approach toward political rivals.
Countering Opposition Narratives
Political analysts interpret this development as aligning with the BJP's concerted attempts to make deeper inroads into the Dalit vote base. This comes amid a noticeable decline in the political influence of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
The move represents the BJP's bid to maintain continuous engagement with various Dalit sub-castes throughout the year while preventing opposition parties from monopolizing the social justice narrative. Experts suggest this measure specifically counters the opposition's Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative, which reportedly impacted the BJP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Recent Commemorative Events
On February 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders celebrated the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, emphasizing his teachings of equality and social harmony. PM Modi visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Punjab and renamed Adampur Airport after Sant Ravidas.
Simultaneously, the BJP SC Morcha launched various programs aimed at honoring the spiritual leader and reaching out to the Ravidasia community. However, the party faced criticism from BSP supremo Mayawati, who accused the BJP of not reverting Bhadohi's name to Sant Ravidas Nagar.
Upcoming Celebrations
The BJP plans to celebrate Sant Gadge's birth anniversary on February 23 on a grand scale. Gadge, born as Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar in Amravati in 1876, belonged to the Parit/Dhobi community and conducted discourses through kirtans emphasizing service to humanity and compassion.
Subsequent celebrations will include:
- Jyotiba Phule's birth anniversary on April 11
- BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14
- Ahilyabai Holkar's birth anniversary on May 31
Historical Recognition and Community Engagement
The BJP also intends to invoke the legacy of Dalit leader Gangu Baba, a participant in the 1857 rebellion who was hanged by the British in 1859. While his exact birth anniversary remains uncertain, local Dalit groups observe June 5 as his birth anniversary in Chunniganj, Kanpur, through tribute ceremonies.
By publicly acknowledging figures like Kanshi Ram and extending greetings to Mayawati, the BJP attempts to soften its image among BSP's core Dalit voters. This strategic outreach represents a calculated effort to expand the party's social coalition while honoring India's diverse Dalit heritage.
