Rahul Gandhi made a call for the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, to be conferred upon Kanshi Ram, a prominent leader in the Dalit movement, during an event celebrating his birth anniversary in Lucknow. Gandhi emphasized the importance of recognizing Kanshi Ram's contributions to the upliftment of Dalits and held a rally for Congress party's Dalit workers, underlining the party's commitment to their cause.

In response, Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, criticized Gandhi's remarks by recalling the historical context of Kanshi Ram's movement and his role in advocating for Dalit rights. Mayawati pointed out that if the Congress party had adequately supported the Dalit community during its governance, the emergence of leaders like Kanshi Ram may not have been necessary, highlighting perceived failures of the Congress party in addressing Dalit issues.

The exchange underscores a critical political dialogue in India surrounding Dalit rights and recognition, with both Gandhi and Mayawati representing different trajectories in advocating for these issues. The public discourse initiated by this event could influence the upcoming electoral landscape, particularly among Dalit voters, as the competition intensifies between the Congress and BSP regarding the representation and rights of this marginalized community.