Kanshi Ram was an Indian politician and social activist, born on March 15, 1934, in Punjab, India. He is best known for his role in advocating for the rights of the Dalit community, which comprises the historically marginalized groups in India. In 1984, he founded the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a political party aimed at empowering the Dalits and other backward classes. Kanshi Ram's efforts focused on social justice and equality, and he played a significant role in mobilizing these communities for political representation. His work laid the foundation for the BSP's rise in Indian politics, particularly in the state of Uttar Pradesh, where the party gained substantial influence in the 1990s.