Kanshi Ram’s main legacy is that political mobilization and use of State power is required to provide dalits self-respect, dignity, social equality and political empowerment to fight against domination and oppression within an unequal social order. An essay in tribute.

Language alone can no longer be the basis for division of states. Issues such as size, governance, economic viability and recognition of new identities are equally important to consider the demands for reorganisation of states. Moreover, the social, economic and political context in which...