Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a Rajya Sabha session have triggered widespread controversy, leading to protests by opposition parties. Leaders have demanded an immediate apology, accusing Shah of disrespecting a national icon and Dalit leader.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, staged demonstrations in the Parliament premises, alleging that Shah’s remarks reflect the BJP’s casteist and anti-Dalit mindset. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the statement, calling it “an insult to the self-respect of Dalits.” She added that such remarks expose the BJP’s divisive agenda. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the BJP for undermining Ambedkar’s legacy.
The Controversial Remark
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah stated, “Taking Ambedkar’s name has become a fashion for the opposition. They repeatedly chant Ambedkar’s name as though doing so would secure them a place in heaven.”
The mask has fallen!
As Parliament reflects on 75 glorious years of the Constitution, HM @AmitShah chose to TARNISH this occasion with DEROGATORY remarks against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, that too in the temple of Democracy.
This is a display of BJP’s CASTEIST and ANTI-DALIT…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 18, 2024
Protests and Demands
Opposition leaders labeled the comments as derogatory and demanded Shah’s resignation. BSP chief Mayawati criticized both the BJP and Congress, accusing them of using Ambedkar’s name for political mileage while failing to honor his contributions meaningfully. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray questioned whether BJP allies would support Shah’s stance, alleging that the remarks undermine Dalit pride.
बाबा साहब हमारी आन, बान, शान ,हमारा अभिमान, हमारा गर्व है ।
सुनो ,यह देश बाबा साहब का है अगर किसी को भी बाबा साहब से दिक्कत है तो वह लोग स्वर्ग या नरक जहां जाना है जा सकते हैं हमे कोई प्रॉब्लम नहीं है।
बाबा साहब का अपमान बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा
जय भीम ✊#तड़ीपार_माफ़ी_मांग pic.twitter.com/nLadNxUpqC
— Kalyani Ambedkar 🇮🇳 (@KalyaniAmbedkar) December 18, 2024
PM Modi’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the controversy via a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused the Congress of spreading “hateful lies” about Ambedkar’s legacy. He stated, “Congress and its corrupt ecosystem have repeatedly tried to erase Ambedkar’s contributions while disrespecting Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The people of India are observing their tactics closely.”
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!
The people of India have seen time and again how one Party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2024
Political Fallout
The BJP countered opposition criticism by accusing the Congress of misrepresenting Shah’s comments and ignoring their own history of sidelining Ambedkar. BJP leaders highlighted the party’s commitment to Ambedkar’s values, while Congress leaders accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from the controversy.
The incident has sparked a fierce debate over the legacy of Ambedkar, with both sides accusing each other of exploiting his name for political gain. The controversy is expected to dominate political discussions in the coming weeks.