Uproar over Amit Shah’s ‘fashion’ remark on Ambedkar; both Houses adjourned till 2 p.m.

Ruckus ensued in both Lower and Upper Houses on December 18, 2024, after a political row erupted over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar in his speech in the Rajya Sabha yesterday during his reply to the debate on the Constitution.

Ruckus ensued in both Lower and Upper Houses on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) after a political row erupted over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar in his speech in the Rajya Sabha yesterday (Dec. 17) during his reply to the debate on the Constitution.

Mr. Shah had said there is now a “fashion” to keep repeating “Ambedkar, Ambedkar” but the Opposition had taken God’s name so often, they would have reached heaven. This statement drew widespread condemnation across the country.

Also read | Congress demands Amit Shah’s apology for insulting Ambedkar

Calling this an insult to the architect of the Constitution, Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha started shouting “Jai Bhim”. Carrying photos of Ambedkar, they targeted the BJP over Mr. Shah’s remarks.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who is also the junior Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, said it is the Congress that had insulted Ambedkar by defeating in two successive Lok Sabha polls.

Speaker Om Birla’s efforts to run the Question Hour didn’t yield result. He adjourned the House until 2 p.m.

Similarly in the Upper House, Opposition members demanded an apology from Mr. Shah for allegedly insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Though Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju said Mr. Shah was talking about the way the Congress mistreated Dr. Ambedkar, the Opposition members raised “Jai Bhim” slogans forcing Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to adjourn the House till 2 p.m.