Kanshi Ram, founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, passed away early Monday morning. He was 72 and had been suffering from multiple ailments for some years now. He was bed-ridden over the last few months, and his last public appearance was in March this year, on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.

Kanshi Ram, who remained a bachelor, was an enigma in Indian politics, and some consider him to be the true inheritor to B R Ambedkar's political legacy. Kanshi Ram empowered the Dalits, arguing that their overwhelming numbers make them a potent force in a democracy, which is rule by the majority. However, he was unable to translate his vision into reality. His BSP, founded in 1984, could only come to power in Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] in 1995, that too as part of a political arrangement with the Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ], and in states like Madhya Pradesh [ Images ], the party remained a spoiler, never a achiever.

What cannot be argued, however, is that Kanshi Ram made a difference to Indian politics, and brought the issue of Dalit empowerment to the table.

Join rediff.com in paying tribute to Kanshi Ram.