The Congress party has strongly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a speech in the Rajya Sabha and demanded a public apology. The remarks were made during the two-day discussion commemorating 75 years of the Constitution.
Amit Shah, in his address, accused the Congress of exploiting Ambedkar’s legacy for political gain, claiming that it had become a “fashion” for the party to repeatedly invoke the name of the architect of the Indian Constitution. Shah said, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar’s name repeatedly. If they had taken God’s name this many times, they would have secured a place in heaven for seven lifetimes.”
The Home Minister also argued that while the BJP was pleased to see the Congress referencing Ambedkar, it questioned the party’s true sentiments and historical stance toward him.
Congress Hits Back
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly rebuked Shah’s remarks, labeling them as disrespectful to Ambedkar’s legacy.
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Shah, stating, “Those who believe in Manusmriti will always be at odds with Ambedkar.” Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and RSS of harboring contempt for Ambedkar due to his opposition to Manusmriti and their alleged initial resistance to the Constitution.
Kharge further stated, “For millions like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is akin to God. He remains the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the poor. Amit Shah’s insult to Babasaheb reveals the BJP-RSS’s long-standing disdain for the ideals he stood for.”
Call for Apology
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh termed Shah’s remarks “disgusting” and claimed they exposed the BJP’s historical hostility toward Ambedkar. Ramesh alleged that the BJP’s ideological ancestors opposed Ambedkar’s vision, burning his effigies and advocating for Manusmriti instead of the Constitution. He demanded a public apology from the Home Minister.
K.C. Venugopal, Congress General Secretary, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution he drafted are sacred to millions. Amit Shah’s disdainful remarks reveal the BJP’s true feelings toward Ambedkar’s legacy.”
The controversy has reignited debates about the political appropriation of Ambedkar’s legacy and the ideological clashes surrounding his contributions to the Constitution and social justice in India. Congress leaders vowed to continue raising the issue until Shah issued a formal apology.
