Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The uproar within and outside Parliament continued on Wednesday over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial statement on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Opposition parties, led by Congress, created a ruckus in the House, accusing Shah of disrespecting Ambedkar. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly defended Shah, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to endorse his remarks and launch a scathing attack on the Congress party.
“Shah has exposed Congress’s falsehoods about Ambedkar. Lies cannot cover up Congress’s misdeeds. For years, Congress disrespected Dr. Ambedkar,” PM Modi wrote.
“Congress Tried to Erase Ambedkar’s Legacy”
PM Modi accused Congress of attempting to erase Ambedkar’s legacy and consistently disrespecting SC/ST communities. He stated, “A party led by a single dynasty has repeatedly tried to undermine Ambedkar’s contributions and betray SC/ST communities. Congress believes malicious lies can hide decades of disrespect and injustice, but they are wrong.”
PM Modi highlighted that Shah’s statements during the Constitution debate had left Congress speechless.
“Why Did Ambedkar Resign From Nehru’s Cabinet?”
In his controversial remarks, Amit Shah questioned the Congress party’s respect for Ambedkar, stating, “Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If you had taken God’s name this often, you’d have been guaranteed heaven in seven lifetimes. It’s good you take Ambedkar’s name, but what’s your true sentiment towards him?” Shah pointed out that Ambedkar resigned from India’s first cabinet due to dissatisfaction with the treatment of scheduled castes and tribes, disagreements over foreign policy, and Article 370.
“Despite assurances, his concerns were ignored, and he had no choice but to resign,” Shah added.
Congress’s Role in Ambedkar’s Electoral Defeats
In a fierce counter, PM Modi accused Congress of orchestrating Ambedkar’s electoral defeats twice, with Nehru personally campaigning against him. Modi further criticized Congress for denying Ambedkar the Bharat Ratna and initially refusing to honor him with a portrait in Parliament’s Central Hall.
“Congress can try as much as it wants, but it cannot deny that the worst atrocities against SC/ST communities occurred during its rule,” PM Modi said, adding that the party failed to empower marginalized communities despite years in power.
Kiren Rijiju Criticizes Congress for “Misleading Campaign”
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of distorting Shah’s remarks by sharing a short clip online. “Congress is attempting to defame the Home Minister by spreading a misleading narrative. Amit Shah clearly highlighted how Congress insulted Ambedkar during his lifetime. Congress owes an apology to the nation for its historical misdeeds,” Rijiju said.
As tensions rise, the Ambedkar controversy has further deepened the political divide, with both sides doubling down on their narratives.
