From street protest to parliament: the rise of a Dalit political force
In short: In 2015, a group emerged to protect Dalit students from caste-based violence in Uttar Pradesh. Today, that movement has transformed into a registered political party with a seat in India's Parliament. It represents a shift from grassroots activism to formal electoral power for Bahujan identities.
The Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) originated from the Bhim Army, founded by lawyer Chandrashekhar Azad in 2015. The group first gained notoriety by intervening in incidents of caste discrimination, such as protecting Dalit students at AHP Inter-college and escorting a Dalit groom who was prevented by Rajputs from riding a horse to his wedding. These actions were rooted in an opposition to caste oppression and a desire to protect constitutional rights.
The movement achieved national prominence through high-profile protests and clashes in Uttar Pradesh. In 2017, Chandrashekhar faced significant legal scrutiny, including detention under the National Security Act by the Yogi Adityanath government before being acquitted in 2018. The group also played a key role in nationwide Dalit protests against the demolition of the Shri Guru Ravidas Gurughar temple in Delhi in 2019, leading to several arrests.
In March 2020, Chandrashekhar officially transitioned the Bhim Army from a quasi-political force into a formal political party. Despite initial attempts to work with the Bahujan Samaj Party, he launched the Azad Samaj Party as an independent entity to counter the BJP. The launch saw a significant influx of talent, with between 78 and 98 former leaders from major parties like the Congress and Samajwadi Party joining the fold.
The party now maintains state units across numerous Indian states, including Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Chandrashekhar Azad serves as the National President and became the party's first Member of Parliament, winning the Nagina Lok Sabha constituency. The organization continues to balance its identity as a representative of Bahujan interests with active participation in national electoral politics.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)
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