The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) marked the death anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar with significant commemorative events on Saturday. The party organized large-scale gatherings at major Dalit memorials in Lucknow and Noida, structures originally built during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mayawati.
Statewide Participation at Memorial Sites
Party functionaries from twelve divisions across Uttar Pradesh, with the exception of districts from western UP, assembled at the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Lucknow. In a parallel event, members from western Uttar Pradesh, along with delegates from Delhi and Uttarakhand, participated in a similar program held at the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida.
While the party's national convener, Akash Anand, was present at the Noida event, he did not address the gathering. The party supremo, Mayawati, paid her respects by garlanding a portrait of Babasaheb at her residence in Delhi. She had clarified her decision two days prior, stating that her public appearance and the consequent security arrangements often cause inconvenience to common people wishing to pay their tributes at the venues.
Mayawati's Social Media Message and Political Stance
Taking to social media platform X, Mayawati reflected on the occasion. She stated that on days like Independence Day, Republic Day, and the birth and death anniversaries of the Constitution's architect, a pressing question arises: "When will good times, ensuring self-respect and self-esteem, come for Bahujans?"
Positioning the BSP as the sole Ambedkarwadi party in the nation, she expressed concern that crores of Dalits, tribals, and other backward castes are still awaiting the prosperous times envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar. "Knowing that in the regime of the casteist parties, it is not possible to ensure better lives for Bahujans, BSP is struggling to get the master key to governance, as was the call of Babasaheb," she asserted.
Mayawati accused other political parties of attempting to obstruct Bahujans from attaining political power. She urged the community to recognize and safeguard the power of their vote, emphasizing that awareness and active participation are crucial. She also stressed that properly understanding Babasaheb's philosophy and following his path is the greatest necessity in today's challenging circumstances.
Nationwide Commemorations and Legacy
Commemorative events were not confined to Uttar Pradesh. The BSP organized programs in other states as well, where attendees were informed about the various welfare initiatives undertaken by the Mayawati-led government during its rule in UP.
The grand scale of the anniversary observations underscores the BSP's continued focus on its core ideological foundation and its efforts to mobilize support around the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, especially among Dalit and Bahujan communities ahead of significant political cycles.
