NEW DELHI: In a recent parliamentary session, a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has ignited a political controversy, with the Congress party accusing Shah of disrespecting the principal architect of India’s Constitution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has robustly defended Shah, asserting that the Home Minister’s remarks were a critique of the Congress’s historical treatment of Ambedkar, rather than an insult.
During a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Shah commented on the frequent invocation of Ambedkar’s name, suggesting it had become a “fashion” and implying that such repetitive mentions, if directed towards a deity, might secure a place in heaven.The Congress interpreted this as derogatory towards Ambedkar and demanded Shah’s resignation. Opposition MPs staged protests, leading to adjournments in both houses of Parliament.
In response, Prime Minister Modi took to social media to counter the allegations.He accused the Congress of attempting to obscure its own history of undermining Ambedkar’s legacy. Modi highlighted several instances, including the Congress’s efforts to defeat Ambedkar in elections, the denial of a Bharat Ratna during his lifetime, and the exclusion of his portrait from Parliament’s Central Hall. 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!”
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also defended Shah, accusing the Congress of distorting the Home Minister’s remarks for political gain. He emphasized that Shah’s speech aimed to expose the Congress’s historical neglect of Ambedkar and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released the full video of Shah’s speech to provide context and counter the Congress’s allegations. The party contends that selective excerpts have been used to misrepresent Shah’s statements. Despite the BJP’s defense, the Congress remains steadfast in its demand for an apology, maintaining that Shah’s comments were inappropriate and disrespectful.
This incident has further intensified the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and the Congress, with both parties accusing each other of politicizing Ambedkar’s legacy for electoral advantage. As the debate continues, it underscores the enduring significance of Ambedkar’s contributions to India’s socio-political landscape and the sensitivities associated with his legacy.
Source: Web Team, C6N
