Amit Shah’s Comments on BR Ambedkar Ignite Political Firestorm, Opposition Targets BJP
The Congress party is set to stage protests across India on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
This follows a controversy sparked by Shah’s remarks about BR Ambedkar during the ongoing Parliament Winter Session. The opposition accuses Shah of insulting Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Congress and Allies Rally for Apology
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and his Lok Sabha counterpart Rahul Gandhi led demonstrations on Wednesday, calling for Shah’s resignation.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Left parties, and Shiv Sena-UBT, united in their demand for an apology.
These protests disrupted both Houses of Parliament, underscoring the escalating political clash.
The Congress announced that protests would take place at state and district headquarters through Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs). The move is part of the party’s strategy to corner the BJP-led central government over Shah’s controversial remarks.
Shah’s Comments on BR Ambedkar
The controversy began with Shah’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, where he criticized Congress leaders for invoking Ambedkar’s name excessively. Shah stated:
“Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar repeatedly. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have secured a place in heaven).”
Shah added that while the BJP welcomed the Congress’s recognition of Ambedkar, the opposition should reflect on its true sentiments towards him.
Widespread Backlash
Amit Shah’s remarks triggered a massive political uproar, with opposition parties accusing him of demeaning Ambedkar.
Demonstrations erupted across Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal leading protests outside the BJP headquarters. Protesters chanted slogans like, “Amit Shah maafi mango, Amit Shah sharm karo.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Shah from his position, stating, “If the Prime Minister has any respect for Ambedkar, he should sack the home minister today itself.”
PM Modi Defends Shah
Amid the growing backlash, PM Modi came to Shah’s defense, accusing the Congress of attempting to deflect attention from its historical failures. He stated:
“If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken.”
Modi also criticized Congress for allegedly erasing Ambedkar’s legacy and marginalizing SC/ST communities.
Shah’s Counterattack
Amit Shah held a press conference on Wednesday, doubling down on his remarks and accusing Congress of being “anti-Ambedkar and anti-Constitution.”
He dismissed demands for his resignation, claiming it would not impact the Congress party’s future. “Congress will remain in opposition for the next 15 years, regardless of whether I resign,” Shah asserted.
Prakash Ambedkar’s Criticism
Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of BR Ambedkar and head of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, criticized Shah’s remarks, calling them indicative of the BJP’s “same old mentality.”
He accused the party of resenting Ambedkar’s legacy, which he said prevents them from executing their plans.
Prakash Ambedkar argued, “Revering God is as good as accepting ‘manuwad.’ Honoring Ambedkar means upholding freedom of speech.”
He accused BJP’s predecessors, the Jan Sangh and RSS, of opposing Ambedkar during the adoption of the Constitution.
Jairam Ramesh Shares Shah’s Remarks
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared a video clip of Shah’s speech, highlighting the controversial remarks.
In the clip, Shah’s statement about repeating Ambedkar’s name was interpreted by opposition leaders as an insult to the Constitution’s architect.
Political Implications
The remarks have fueled a political slugfest, with opposition parties using the controversy to criticize the BJP. Protests have highlighted issues of caste politics and the BJP’s approach to Ambedkar’s legacy.
While Shah’s comments were defended by the BJP as a critique of Congress’s political opportunism, the opposition continues to demand accountability, making the row a central issue in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
