NEW DELHI, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Kanshi Ram, a champion of India's underprivileged and the so-called untouchables, has died at age 72 after a prolonged illness in New Delhi.
Ram, who was born in a community once regarded as low in the now-outlawed caste system but later converted to Buddhism, led his people who have come to be known as Dalits and made his Bahujan Samaj Party a powerful political force in northern Uttar Pradesh state, India's largest. The BSP party drew its inspiration from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the first outspoken leader of the country's underprivileged who drafted India's constitution.
Ram was the first college graduate in a family of seven children. He founded the BSP in 1984 to bring the so-called "untouchables" to power, reports the IANS news service.
"Nobody can deny it was only his efforts that made the Dalits a force to reckon with," one analyst said.
India's leading politicians both from the ruling coalition and opposition visited Ram's home Monday to pay their tributes.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Ram was an important voice of the Dalits. L.K. Advani, leader of the opposition, said the Dalits have lost a powerful voice.
