Shah’s remark on Ambedkar: Law Minister flays EPS, parties stage stir

Law Minister questions Palaniswami's silence on Amit Shah's remarks about Ambedkar, sparking protests and condemnations across Tamil Nadu.

Law Minister S. Regupathy on Thursday questioned AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s silence over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark on B.R. Ambedkar.

While the DMK was holding protests across the State over the issue, Mr. Palaniswami, by remaining silent, was supporting the forces that were attempting to make derogatory remarks on Dr. Ambedkar, he posted on social media.

Meanwhile, Mr. Palaniswami told reporters in Salem that he did not take Mr. Regupathy’s remark seriously. He further said that on the issue, he endorsed the views expressed by AIADMK’s organisation secretary D. Jayakumar.

Mr. Jayakumar had said that those desecrating Dr. Ambedkar would be rejected by people.

The DMK and its allies held protests across the State on Thursday over Mr. Shah’s remark. Spearheading the DMK’s protests, the party’s organising secretary R.S. Bharathi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should at least dismiss Mr. Shah for six months if he respected the sentiments of protesters.

Condemning Mr. Shah, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai denied the Union Minister’s allegations that the Congress blacked out the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar.

Members of the CPI(M), led by the party’s State secretary K. Balakrishnan, staged a demonstration in Chennai. Mr. Balakrishnan said people from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari were upset at Mr. Shah for his remarks, and urged Mr. Modi to dismiss the Union Minister from his Council of Ministers.