Congress demands an apology from Amit Shah for disrespecting Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Congress accused Home Minister Amit Shah of making remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution that exposed the BJP and RSS leaders’ deep “hatred” for B.R. Ambedkar. The party demanded an apology from him.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi stated that those who support Manusmriti are bound to be at odds with Ambedkar’s ideology.

Congress General Secretary for Communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a video clip from Shah’s speech on X, criticizing his comments.

Shah mocked the opposition, saying, “Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar! Now it has become fashionable to chant his name, as if chanting God’s name would secure you a place in heaven.” He added that while the BJP was pleased with Congress invoking Ambedkar’s name, the party should express its true feelings about him. Shah also mentioned that Ambedkar had to leave the first Cabinet due to his disagreements with the Congress-led government, particularly on Article 370.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned Shah, accusing him of insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar. He stated, “Shah’s comments only reaffirm that the BJP-RSS oppose the tricolour, that their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra, and that the Sangh Parivar has long sought to implement Manusmriti in place of the Indian Constitution.”

Kharge further said, “Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar Ji prevented this, and that’s why there is so much animosity towards him.”

In a post on X, Kharge added, “Ministers in the Modi government should understand that for millions like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is akin to God. He will always be the protector of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the poor.”

Jairam Ramesh also condemned Shah’s remarks, calling them “disgusting” and accusing BJP and RSS leaders of harboring intense “hatred” for Ambedkar.

Ramesh continued, “The hatred is so deep that even hearing his name troubles them. These are the same people whose ancestors used to burn effigies of Baba Saheb and spoke about altering the Constitution he gave us.”

He concluded, “As the people taught them a lesson, they are now upset with those who honor Baba Saheb’s name. This is shameful! Amit Shah should apologize to the nation for this.”

K.C. Venugopal, Congress General Secretary in charge of organization, also lashed out at Shah over his comments.

“HM Amit Shah, in case you’re unaware – Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is revered as a God, and the Constitution he created is a sacred text for millions around the world. How dare you speak about Dr. Ambedkar with such disdain?” Venugopal said.

He continued, “The BJP’s contempt for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has always been clear, and Shah’s remarks only further expose their hatred for him.”

Venugopal added, “The followers of Manusmriti will never respect Ambedkar, who rejected the casteist ideologies of the RSS and their Manusmriti.”

“Those who once promised to change the Constitution if they secured 400+ seats are now openly mocking the respect our country holds for Dr. Ambedkar,” he said.

Venugopal concluded, “Those who pretended to honor him couldn’t hide their true feelings for long. This dangerous statement from the BJP leadership proves they have lost the right to speak about Ambedkar.”

In the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah had criticized Congress, accusing the party of treating the Constitution as the “private property” of one family and of “fraudulently” manipulating Parliament.

Concluding a two-day debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” Shah attacked Congress for allegedly engaging in appeasement politics, claiming that the party sought to breach the 50 percent reservation limit to accommodate Muslims.

Shah also questioned Congress’s position on Muslim personal law and accused the party of failing to work for the welfare of backward classes. He mentioned that the BJP had already implemented a Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand and planned to extend it to other states.