B.R. Ambedkar on Currency and Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram: A Call for Our Rights in the Society

By B.S. Shivanna

The landscape of Indian politics and social reform is built upon the tireless efforts of visionaries who dared to imagine an equitable society. Recently, Sri Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, made a significant call to confer the Bharat Ratna upon Sri Kanshi Ram. As a social activist who has long championed the cause of the marginalized, I not only welcome this demand—I wholeheartedly endorse it.

Honoring the Legacy of Kanshi Ram

Conferring India’s highest civilian award on Sri Kanshi Ram would be more than just a posthumous honor; it would be a fitting tribute to a man who revolutionized the political language of the Dalit and backward castes. He didn’t just advocate for the marginalized; he empowered them to become stakeholders in the world’s largest democracy.

To recognize his role in the upliftment of our communities is to recognize the very pulse of social justice in India.

A Plea for Representation: Ambedkar on Indian Currency

While the recognition of Sri Kanshi Ram is a vital step forward, we must also address a long-standing omission in our national symbolism. For the past two years, I have been consistently campaigning for a change that is both symbolic and deeply substantive: the inclusion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s image on Indian currency notes.

Currently, our currency exclusively features Mahatma Gandhi. While he is rightfully revered as the ‘Father of the Nation,’ we must acknowledge that India’s endurance as a Constitutional Democracy is a testament to the genius of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

“India remains a Republic because of the foundation laid by Ambedkar. It is only appropriate that his invaluable contribution is recognized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Union Government.”

A Call to Action for Rahul Gandhi

Symbols matter. They tell a story of who we are and what we value. If we are to truly honor the architects of modern India, our daily lives—and the currency we handle—should reflect the diversity of that leadership.

I urge Sri Rahul Gandhi to take this mission forward. Beyond the Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram, I request him to use his platform to launch a national campaign ensuring the Government of India imprints the image of Babasaheb Ambedkar alongside Mahatma Gandhi on our banknotes.

True inclusivity requires us to honor those who gave us our Rights as much as those who gave us our Freedom.

About the Author

B.S. Shivanna is a prominent social activist and the Chairman of Lohia Thinkers Forum. A dedicated advocate for social justice and constitutional values, he has spent decades working toward the empowerment of marginalized communities and fostering intellectual discourse on the democratic ideals of modern India.