In fresh foray into Maharashtra, KCR seeks Bharat Ratna for a Dalit poet-reformer; assures upliftment of community

He said that the BRS would back the demand for a Bharat Ratna for Sathe. He also visited the family members of Anna Bhau in Vategoan.

The chief minister, who has lately been wearing his respect for Dalits on his sleeve, is trying to carve a space for himself in their hearts, with some tangible actions in the run-up to the Assembly elections in Telangana, scheduled for year-end.

When Bhim Army Chief Chandrasekhar Azad paid a visit a few days ago, KCR felicitated him. KCR’s daughter and MLC K Kavitha was present when he visited the tallest statue of BR Ambedkar which rises into the sky to a height of 125 ft near the Telangana state secretariat.

In fact, the state’s ultra-modern and iconic secretariat, which has been built after demolishing the old one, too has been named after the architect of the Indian constitution.

Impressed by KCR’s initiatives, Azad praised him for his steps to empower Dalits, such as implementing the Dalit Bandhu scheme. He said that it was a step in the effort to emancipate the Dalits from economic exploitation.

Related: KCR announces another sop in run-up to the Assembly elections

Recalls Sathe’s struggles

At Sangli, the chief minister, taking part in Sathe’s birth celebrations after paying a visit to Amba Bai, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, recalled his struggle for helping the downtrodden sections.

“Anna Bhau never took a backstep when problems confronted him. In fact, it was not India, but Russia which had recognised the fighting spirit in him for justice for the weaker sections and honoured him. The Russian government had set up his statues in libraries and even called him the Maxim Gorky of India,” said KCR.

He urged the Maharashtra government to take steps to translate Sathe’s works into other Indian languages, saying they were universal and were not limited to one section or community.

The teachings of Annabhau Sathe are relevant across the world and not just in India.

– BRS President, CM Sri KCR pic.twitter.com/VP4pFaRqUi

— BRS Party (@BRSparty) August 1, 2023

He said, in Maharashtra, the Matang caste did not get the recognition that it deserved but the BRS would ensure that it occupied its rightful place in society.

Going by the trend, it appears that the chief minister has decided to honour Dalit leaders or pay tributes to those who are no more since Dalits are a very influential section and could make or mar the prospects of a political party.

The chief minister’s visit to Kolhapur is also being seen to further consolidate the gains the BRS had already made in some pockets as the party is expected to contest in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.