Demands HM’s sacking; PM, BJP counters attack
A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks on BR Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress’ “anti-Ambedkar” stand.
As opposition parties unitedly protested against Shah and stalled both houses of Parliament, alleging that his remarks had insulted Ambedkar and demanding his apology, Shah said that the Congress had distorted his comments under a malicious campaign after the discussion on the Constitution “established” that the opposition party was against Ambedkar and reservation.
Parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, RJD, SP, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Left protested against Shah inside Parliament and outside.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against Shah in the Rajya Sabha, where the Home Minister made the remarks. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge warned that there will be a countrywide agitation if Shah does not resign.
Addressing a press conference here, Shah alleged that the Congress in the past has also misrepresented his and even PM Narendra Modi’s comments to spread confusion and mislead people. “I condemn the Congress for twisting facts. Why did it happen? It happened because BJP leaders spoke on how the NDA governments upheld the Constitution and established with facts that the Congress is anti-Ambedkar, anti-Constitution and anti-reservation,”Shah told reporters.
Congress president Kharge too addressed a press conference and demanded that Shah resign or else PM Modi should sack him. Kharge said a person becomes a minister by taking oath of the Constitution and if he insults it, he has no right to remain in the Cabinet.
“We want Amit Shah to quit his post and if he doesn’t, I want to tell the prime minister that if he has even little respect for Babasaheb, he should dismiss Amit Shah from his post before midnight,” he said.
“If there is no resignation, there will be protests all over the country…,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, “Baba Saheb is the architect of the Constitution, a great man who gave direction to the country. The country will not tolerate his insult or the insult to the Constitution framed by him. Home Minister should apologize!”
Several MPs of the INDIA bloc also held a protest in Parliament premises demanding Shah’s apology for his remarks on Ambedkar.
The uproar in Parliament also spilt onto the streets of the national capital and other states like Maharashtra, Bihar and Tamil Nadu where various parties held protests.
PM’s scathing attack on Cong
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack at the Congress party, accusing it of indulging in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and also humiliate the SC/ST communities.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi lambasted the Congress, claiming the party had a long history of undermining Ambedkar’s contributions.
“In Parliament, HM Amit Shah ji exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities. They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth!”
“If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken!” He emphasized his government’s commitment to realizing Ambedkar’s vision, citing landmark initiatives aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities.
“Congress can try as they want but they can’t deny that the worst massacres against SC/ST Communities have happened under their regimes. For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities,” PM Modi added.