Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A political storm erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as Opposition leaders accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of disrespecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during his speech on Tuesday. Congress leaders, led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, demanded Shah’s resignation and an apology to the nation.
Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, “The Home Minister insulted Dr. Ambedkar. He must apologize to the people of this country and step down from his position.”
Shah’s Remarks Spark Controversy
During Tuesday’s session, Shah reportedly said, “If you took Ambedkar’s name as often as you take God’s, you would ascend to heaven seven times.” Kharge criticized this statement, saying, “Does taking Baba Saheb’s name amount to a crime? This is highly disrespectful.”
The Congress leader added, “We tried to intervene and stop him, but we weren’t allowed to speak. Since the discussion was on the Constitution drafted by Dr. Ambedkar, we remained silent out of respect.”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “The Home Minister’s remarks reflect a lack of genuine respect for Dr. Ambedkar.” Another Congress MP, Manickam Tagore, accused Shah of harboring “anti-Ambedkar sentiments,” adding, “Ambedkar’s legacy represents the voice of the oppressed—OBCs, SCs, STs, and minorities. The BJP cannot erase this legacy.”
Congress Plans Further Action
Congress leaders announced plans to meet INDIA alliance leaders to demand Shah’s apology. “We will ensure that Ambedkar’s legacy is preserved and will continue to fight for it,” Tagore asserted.
Rijiju Defends Shah, Alleges Congress Distortion
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended Amit Shah, accusing Congress of misrepresenting a selectively edited clip of his speech. Rijiju said, “The Congress has taken a small portion of Shah’s speech, twisted it, and made it viral to mislead the public. Shah had, in fact, highlighted how Congress disrespected Ambedkar during his lifetime.”
He further added, “Congress has always misused Dr. Ambedkar’s name but never followed his ideals. They owe an apology to the nation for their past wrongdoings.” Rijiju questioned, “Why did Ambedkar resign from Nehru’s cabinet?”
BJP’s Counterattack
The BJP alleged that Congress used Ambedkar’s name for political gain while neglecting his principles. “Congress has a history of disrespecting Ambedkar and is now creating false narratives for votes,” Rijiju stated.
The clash over Ambedkar’s legacy and remarks by Shah is likely to intensify as Congress plans to escalate the issue both within and outside Parliament.
