Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema urged the Centre to honour the social reformer.
The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a historic resolution demanding the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram, the renowned social reformer and political leader who dedicated his life to the struggle for social justice and equality. The proposal was introduced by Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, urging the Union Government to confer the country’s highest civilian honour on Kanshi Ram posthumously.
The resolution was adopted with full support from all members of the House, and the Punjab government will now forward the recommendation to the central government.
Tribute to a Leader of Social Equality
While presenting the motion, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema paid tribute to the leader and highlighted his role in promoting the ideals of B. R. Ambedkar. He said Kanshi Ram played a crucial role in spreading the message of socio-economic equality across the country.
Cheema noted that the demand for the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram reflects recognition of his lifelong struggle for the rights of marginalized communities and his contribution to empowering disadvantaged sections of society.
Sacrificed Career for Social Justice
The minister also recalled that Kanshi Ram left his position as a gazetted officer in Pune to fight against caste-based discrimination. Later, he founded the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) and entered active politics to mobilize marginalized communities.
According to Cheema, Kanshi Ram’s work encouraged thousands of young people from poor and middle-class backgrounds to participate in the democratic process. Supporters believe that awarding the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram would be a fitting recognition of his efforts to reshape India’s social and political landscape.
Political Journey and Public Service
Kanshi Ram was born on March 15, 1934, in Khawaspura village in Ropar district of Punjab. He completed his graduation from Government College Ropar and later served as a Member of Parliament from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh in 1991 and Hoshiarpur in Punjab in 1996. He also served in the Rajya Sabha during his political career.
Supporters of the proposal say that conferring the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram would honour not only his political contributions but also his broader mission to achieve social equality.
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Punjab Government Announces Initiatives to Honour Legacy
Speaking about steps taken to preserve Kanshi Ram’s legacy, Cheema said he recently visited Khawaspura in Ropar and Pirthipur Bunga in Anandpur Sahib along with cabinet colleague Harjot Singh Bains. The state government has approved a ₹2 crore grant for the reconstruction and upgradation of a local school, which will be renamed in honour of Kanshi Ram.
In addition, the Punjab government has approved plans to build a modern library and auditorium in his native village so that future generations can learn about his life and contributions.
Demand Raised Earlier by AAP Leadership
Cheema also mentioned that Arvind Kejriwal had formally demanded the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram as early as 2016. He noted that despite strong demands from supporters and political groups after Kanshi Ram’s death in 2006, earlier governments at the Centre did not take decisive steps to honour him.
Concluding his address, Cheema urged members of the House to support the motion with unity and send a strong message to the central government to award the Bharat Ratna for Babu Kanshi Ram, recognising his lasting contribution to social justice and equality in India.
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