Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr B R Ambedkar during a debate in the Rajya Sabha, describing them as casteist and disrespectful to the Dalit icon.
Addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi, Kharge slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for upholding Shah’s remarks.
Kharge alleged that the BJP, together with PM Modi and Amit Shah, were preferring Manusmriti principles over those of the Constitution. He said that the comments were offensive not just to Dr Ambedkar but also to Dalits and citizens of this country.
Kharge demanded responsibility, calling for Amit Shah to step down and for PM Modi and Shah to issue a public apology. In order to show respect for the Constitution, he asked the Prime Minister to make sure Shah resigns before midnight.
“If PM Modi has respect for Babasaheb Ambedkar, he should drop Amit Shah from Cabinet today itself,” he said.
In his remarks, Shah criticised the Congress for using B R Ambedkar’s name so frequently, claiming that they could have earned a spot in heaven if they had used God’s name more often.
“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, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” Shah had said.
Shah added that although the BJP is pleased that the Congress is using Ambedkar’s name, the party need to express its true sentiments for him as well.
PM Modi Intervenes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly defended Amit Shah against claims made by the Congress that he had insulted Dr B R Ambedkar. Shah’s comments, according to PM Modi, had revealed Congress’ “dark history” of disregarding the creator of the Indian Constitution, leaving the opposition “stung and stunned.”
“They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics. Sadly, for them, people know the truth.” He emphasised that his government’s respect and reverence for Ambedkar were “absolute,” he stated in a series of posts on X.
Modi stated that the party and its “rotten ecosystem” were trying to cover up their “malicious lies” and their long record of mistreating Ambedkar. He emphasised that by arranging Ambedkar’s political setbacks, refusing to award him a Bharat Ratna and not placing his portrait prominently in Parliament’s Central Hall, the Congress had degraded him.
Additionally, Modi emphasised that the biggest crimes committed against the SC/ST community took place under Congress-led governments. “For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities,” he stated.
The prime minister specified the steps his government has taken to honour Ambedkar’s legacy, such as creating “Panchteerth” (five famous spots connected to Ambedkar), settling a long-standing dispute over land for “Chaitya Bhoomi,” the location of Ambedkar’s cremation and conserving the locations where Ambedkar lived, including in Delhi and London.
Congress and other opposition parties said Shah’s comments were disrespectful to Ambedkar, sparking protests in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Both Houses adjourned as a result of the uproar.
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