Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accused the Congress of disrespecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and neglecting the rights and welfare of Dalits and marginalized communities. Speaking at a press conference, the Chief Minister criticized the Congress for allegedly orchestrating Ambedkar’s electoral defeat and failing to honor his legacy through memorials and initiatives.
Highlighting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) efforts, CM Yogi said, “The BJP has worked tirelessly to build the country of Baba Saheb’s dreams. We have given respect to Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar by preserving his legacy and uplifting the underprivileged.”
BJP’s Efforts to Honor Ambedkar
CM Yogi praised BJP-led initiatives such as the development of the Panchteerth, which commemorates five key sites associated with Ambedkar’s life. He credited leaders like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving due recognition to Ambedkar’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle, constitution-making, and nation-building.
Congress Accused of Amendments and Neglect
The Chief Minister accused Congress of amending the Constitution’s Preamble during the Emergency to include terms like “secular” and “socialist,” claiming these additions deviated from Ambedkar’s original vision. He also alleged that Congress has a history of using appeasement politics, sidelining Dalits and marginalized communities, and bringing the nation to the brink of partition.
He stated, “The Congress has insulted Baba Saheb repeatedly, from opposing his entry into the Constituent Assembly to publishing disrespectful cartoons in textbooks during the UPA regime. Such actions highlight Congress’s neglect of Dalits and the underprivileged.”
Ambedkar’s Legacy
Yogi Adityanath emphasized Ambedkar’s pivotal role in India’s independence and the drafting of the Constitution. He asserted that while the Congress failed to uphold Ambedkar’s vision, the BJP has consistently honored his legacy, working for the upliftment of marginalized communities.
“This press conference is to address the unconstitutional and unethical insults directed at Baba Saheb by Congress and other opposition parties. Every Indian reveres and respects Dr. Ambedkar, and the BJP remains committed to fulfilling his vision for India,” he concluded.
The remarks come as part of the BJP’s ongoing efforts to highlight its alignment with Ambedkar’s ideals and contrast it with Congress’s alleged history of neglect and political opportunism.
