NEW DELHI: The Indian National Congress has called for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah following his recent remarks in the Rajya Sabha, which the party alleges insulted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
During a parliamentary session, Shah commented, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Shah’s statement, asserting that it disrespected both Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution he crafted. Kharge stated, “The ‘insult’ caused to Babasaheb Ambedkar by Amit Shah is wrong. I demand his resignation.”
In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended Shah, accusing the Congress of exploiting Ambedkar’s legacy for political gain. Rijiju remarked, “The home minister expressed our reverence for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in many words and also mentioned how the Congress party insulted Ambedkar during his lifetime.”
The controversy has intensified parliamentary tensions, leading to adjournments amid protests from opposition members. Congress leaders have organized nationwide marches to Raj Bhavans, demanding a public apology from Shah and his resignation. They argue that his remarks are a direct affront to Dalit communities and undermine the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
This incident has reignited debates over the political appropriation of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy. The Congress accuses the BJP of harboring animosity towards Ambedkar’s ideals, while the BJP counters that the Congress has historically marginalized Ambedkar’s contributions.
As the dispute unfolds, it underscores the enduring significance of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy in contemporary Indian politics and the sensitivities surrounding his commemoration.
Source: Web Team, C6N
