Samajwadi Party to Celebrate Kanshi Ram Birth Anniversary as Bahujan Samaj Diwas Across Uttar Pradesh
In a significant political move, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has directed party functionaries to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bahujan Nayak Manyawar and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram as Bahujan Samaj Diwas or PDA Diwas across Uttar Pradesh on March 15. This initiative is strategically aimed at engaging the Bahujan populace of the state, reflecting the SP's ongoing efforts to consolidate support among backward classes, Dalits, and minorities.
Historical Context of SP's Celebrations
This is not the first instance of the Samajwadi Party honoring Kanshi Ram's legacy in a grand manner. In 2025, under Akhilesh Yadav's initiative, the party celebrated the anniversary at district headquarters with elaborate events, while a special ceremony was held at the SP headquarters in Lucknow, where top leadership paid floral tributes to Kanshi Ram.
Further back in April 2023, Akhilesh Yadav unveiled a statue of Kanshi Ram in Rae Bareli to commemorate the occasion. The event was organized by then SP national general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya, a former confidante of BSP chief Mayawati. At that time, political commentators interpreted this as a deliberate attempt to reach out to Dalit communities ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
SP's Broader Celebration of Bahujan Icons
The Samajwadi Party's focus on Bahujan leaders extends beyond Kanshi Ram. The party has been consistently celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on April 14 every year. Party functionaries receive advance letters annually to ensure that these events are marked with grandeur at district headquarters, underscoring the SP's commitment to honoring figures central to Bahujan identity.
SP strategists explain that celebrating Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary as Bahujan Samaj Diws or PDA Diwas aligns with the party's broader agenda, as the PDA framework includes Bahujan Samaj. Akhilesh Yadav coined the term PDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to represent Pichhde (backwards), Dalits, and Alpsankhyak (minorities), a strategy that yielded significant political dividends and has since become a catchphrase for the party.
Political Implications and Akhilesh Yadav's Statements
In his recent circular to party functionaries, Akhilesh Yadav highlighted Kanshi Ram's role in leading a national campaign in support of the Mandal Commission report, emphasizing his legacy in advocating for social justice. Political circles view this move as a calculated effort to appeal to Dalit voters ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, aiming to strengthen the SP's voter base.
Meanwhile, in a recent address at the SP headquarters, Akhilesh Yadav described Kanshi Ram as a PDA Mahapurush and asserted that defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh is essential to save the state. He criticized the BJP government, accusing it of ruining Uttar Pradesh by escalating corruption, crime, and commission-taking to unprecedented levels.
BJP has become a symbol of social injustice and hatred. Every section of society is being insulted under it, Akhilesh Yadav stated, reinforcing his party's stance against the ruling administration.
Concerns Over Electoral Rolls and Voting Rights
Raising alarms over the Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Akhilesh Yadav alleged large-scale irregularities. He claimed that notices have been sent to lakhs of voters across districts in an attempt to cut votes of PDA communities and undermine democracy.
BJP's intent is to deprive people of their voting rights. SP workers must ensure that every eligible voter is included in the electoral rolls, he urged, calling on party members to actively safeguard democratic processes and ensure inclusive voter participation.
This directive to celebrate Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary as Bahujan Samaj Diwas not only honors a key figure in Bahujan politics but also strategically positions the Samajwadi Party to mobilize support among critical voter segments in Uttar Pradesh, setting the stage for intense political competition in the state.
