Congress demands Amit Shah's apology for insulting Ambedkar

Congress alleges Amit Shah's hatred for Ambedkar, demands apology; BJP-RSS leaders criticized for disrespecting Constitution architect.

The Congress on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a "lot of hatred" for B.R. Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar.

Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house.

"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)," Mr. Shah said, taking a swipe at the opposition.

Mr. Shah said the BJP is happy that the Congress is taking Ambedkar’s name but the party should also speak about its real sentiments towards him. He pointed out how Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet citing his disagreement with the then Congress-led government’s policies including Article 370.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at Mr. Shah, saying the “insult” of Babasaheb by the Home Minister “has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day”.

"Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him,” Mr. Kharge said.