Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a sharp rebuttal against the Congress-led Opposition, which accused Home Minister Amit Shah of insulting Dalit icon Dr. BR Ambedkar. In a detailed six-point thread on X, PM Modi asserted that the Congress and its “rotten ecosystem” were gravely mistaken if they believed “malicious lies” could overshadow their long history of disrespecting Ambedkar and neglecting the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
The row erupted after Amit Shah’s remarks during a Rajya Sabha debate commemorating 75 years of the Constitution. Mr. Shah commented that taking Ambedkar’s name had become a “fashion,” adding that mere repetition of his name without action was meaningless. This statement triggered outrage among Opposition leaders, who accused Shah of belittling the legacy of the architect of the Constitution.
During the Parliament session today, Opposition MPs, holding photos of Ambedkar, staged protests demanding an apology and Shah’s resignation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed the Congress was circulating a misleading video clip of Shah’s remarks, omitting his references to the Congress’s alleged sidelining of Ambedkar.
PM Modi, in his posts, highlighted what he called the “sins” of the Congress against Dr. Ambedkar, including:
- Defeating him in elections twice, with Nehru personally campaigning against him.
- Denying him a Bharat Ratna during his lifetime.
- Refusing to place Ambedkar’s portrait in Parliament’s Central Hall for years.
He further accused the Congress of overseeing some of the worst atrocities against SC/ST communities while failing to empower them during their long rule. Modi reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to Dr. Ambedkar’s vision, contrasting it with the Congress’s alleged neglect.
The BJP has ramped up efforts to counter the Opposition’s attack, given the potential impact of this controversy among Dalit and backward communities. Amit Shah met with PM Modi to discuss the escalating situation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also defended Shah, accusing the Congress of distorting facts and asserting that the BJP has consistently honored Ambedkar’s legacy under Modi’s leadership.
On the other hand, Congress leaders intensified their criticism. Rahul Gandhi, in a veiled remark, said those who follow Manusmriti—a reference to conservative Hindu ideologies—would naturally be troubled by Ambedkar’s progressive ideals. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and its ideological parent RSS of opposing Ambedkar’s principles, claiming they preferred Manusmriti over the Constitution. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared pictures of the Opposition protest, emphasizing Ambedkar’s role as a symbol of dignity and empowerment for Dalits and marginalized communities.
As the political tussle continues, the BJP is leveraging its narrative to showcase its reverence for Ambedkar, while the Opposition seeks to corner the government over its controversial remarks.
