Zafar Agha
Uttar Pradesh is the cradle of Brahminism: Kanshi Ram
BSP supremo Kanshi Ram spoke to Special Correspondent Zafar Agha from his Escorts Heart Institute bed in Delhi. Excerpts:
Q. When did your relations with Mulayam Singh Yadav reach a turning point?
A. The panchayat elections were the turning point. There was rigging, booth-capturing, intimidation. Even the BSP was not spared.
Q. Haven’t you joined up with a communal party now?
A. The BJP is BJP, the BSP is BSP. The BJP’s views are very well known. I don’t call it a communal party.
Q. Hasn’t the BSP now allied itself with Manuvadi forces?
A. There is no alliance. We have only joined hands as co-sufferers of Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Q. Is it very temporary?
A. It is a very temporary liaison. We were interested only in overthrowing a chief minister who was using criminals to throttle the democratic process and was destroying every party.
Q. What does the BJP want from you?
A. They do not want anything from me. On their own efforts, they want to capture the Delhi throne.
Q. Will you campaign for the BJP in 1996?
A. No, absolutely not. The BSP stands for social transformation, while the BJP is a Brahminical party. We’ve come together for a short time to fight criminals.
Q. Do you still consider Gandhi a Manuvadi?
A. He was a Manuvadi. He forced the Poona Pact on Dr Ambedkar, who was fighting for the cause of the oppressed. Why do you need me to repeat this again and again?
Q. Because BJP leaders claim that one of the conditions for supporting the BSP Government is that you will stop calling Gandhi names.
A. It is absolutely unconditional support. I am not interested in government. I am interested in a movement. I live and die for the movement.
Q. How will your coming to power in Uttar Pradesh help the movement?
A. Uttar Pradesh is the cradle of Brahminism. It is the land of Ganga and Jamuna, it is the land of Manu. It is the land of rishis and munis. So it is the most important area of the enemy. So we thought we should acquire strength and catch the enemy by the neck.
Q. Are you suggesting that the BJP is in your trap?
A. I don’t say the BJP. I call it the social system, Manuvad.
Q. And you call the BJP a Manuvadi party?
A. Manuvadi number two. Congress(I) is number one. Janata Dal number three. They are all Manuvadi.
Q. From now on you will have nothing to do with Mulayam?
A. Why not?
Q. But only last week you toppled his government?
A. I’ve got the feeling that he will support the bsp Government in his own interest.
Q. Are you saying that if Mulayam changes you will realign with him?
A. I still consider him a part and parcel of the Bahujan Samaj.
[Courtesy: India Today, June 30, 1995]
