CHANDIGARH: The president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mr Kanshi Ram alleged that the antireservationists agitation was being run with the connivance of the National Front government.

Mr Kanshi Ram was addressing an impressive rally of BSP workers at the Parade Ground here on Tuesday as a part of the centenary celebration of Ambedkar.

He said that if the Union Government was not keen to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission then it should issue a statement that it had made a “false promise” like many other promises. On the antireservationists agitation he said it was their democratic right to protest against the report. But it was the duty of the government not to allow the anti-Reservationists to resort to violence.

Mr Kanshi Ram said that reservations would benefit 3,743 backward castes. He admitted that most backward caste members still did not know the implications of the Mandal Commission recommendations.

He appealed to the Dalits not to fall prey to the forward castes by going after small gains. He asked them to make proper use of their votes and capture power in Delhi through democratic means.

Mr Kanshi Ram pointed out that just 15 per cent of high caste people were holding 85 per cent of top positions in the country.

He said the Dalits were in a majority in this country and it was shameful that they had to beg from just 15 per cent of high caste people,

He said that with the Dalits support the BSP could form its governments both at the Centre and in states.

He attributed this successful rally to the hard work and dedication shown by the party workers during the past nine years, the party was formed in October 1981.

During the last Parliamentary elections, Mr Kanshi Ram said Mr Devi Lal had come to him. Later Mr V.P. Singh also came. When Mr Rajiv Gandhi came to know of the meetings with the Janata Dal leaders he (Mr Gandhi) sent one of his ministers with a message that Mr Gandhi wanted him to be an MP. But his reply was the same. “I would become MP only with the support of the Dalits”. He said he was working systematically and had not lost patience.

He said he was building the BSP in such it way that it would soon come to power and remain in power for thousands of years.

The BSP had at present three MPs but in the next elections it was hopeful of bagging at least 287 seats, he said and added that that was why all political parties were after him for poll alliance.

Chandigarh was not the only place, Mr Kanshi Ram said. Where such a big rally was organised. Similar gatherings of Dalits were organised at the BSP rallies all over the country. He said the Dalits were divided and were followers of the various national parties dominated by the high caste leaders.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 28, 1990