This is the story of a boy who witnessed his father doing unpaid labor and realized how caste and poverty force people into a life of servitude. This boy grew up to become one of India’s most influential Dalit leaders—Kanshi Ram. Kanshi Ram’s journey from a government employee to the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a tale of struggle, resilience, and revolution. Inspired by B.R. Ambedkar’s ideology, he dedicated his life to uniting Dalits, OBCs, and marginalized communities against caste oppression. Unlike traditional politicians, Kanshi Ram didn’t seek power for himself but aimed to empower the oppressed. His strategies were unconventional yet effective—be it the formation of the BAMCEF (Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) to mobilize educated Dalits or the DS4 (Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti) that gave rise to mass political awareness. His slogan, “Vote hamara, raj tumhara – nahi chalega,” resonated with millions who felt politically powerless. But Kanshi Ram’s journey was not without challenges. From political conspiracies to betrayals, he faced immense hurdles in his mission to create an independent Dalit leadership. Despite all odds, he succeeded in making Mayawati the first Dalit woman Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. What was Kanshi Ram’s vision for India? Why did he never marry? What led to his falling out with Mayawati? And why is his legacy often overshadowed today? In this episode of Stories Untold, we uncover the untold aspects of Kanshi Ram’s life, his political strategies, and the impact of his movement. Watch till the end to understand how one man changed the course of Indian politics forever.