Kejriwal demands Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday demanded Bharat Ratna for Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram and said he will form a SIT to probe all crimes against Dalits if his Aam Aadmi Party is voted to power in Punjab.

On a political trip to Punjab on Tuesday to woo Dalit voters, the AAP convenor visited Pirthipur Bunga village -- the native place of Dalit leader Kanshi Ram in Ropar district to mark his 82nd birth anniversary.

"Kanshi Ram should get Bharat Ratna. MP Bhagwant Mann will raise this issue in parliament," Kejriwal said addressing a gathering at the village.

Kejriwal said that if voted to power in Punjab, the AAP government would fulfil Kanshi Ram's dreams for the Dalit community.

"I will form an SIT to investigate all crimes against Dalits and till I am alive, no one can dare touch SC reservations," he said.

Kejriwal said Kanshi Ram was a great visionary and was the only leader of the Dalit Samaj after Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. He also garlanded a statue of Kanshi Ram.

Kejriwal met Kanshi Ram's sister Swaran Kaur and other family members.

The Delhi chief minister was presented a 'siropa' (robe of honour) by the Kanshi Ram Charitable Foundation.

He later offered prayers at Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from Chandigarh.