The Congress party has strongly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha during a two-day discussion on 75 years of the Constitution. The party has demanded an apology, accusing Shah of disrespecting the architect of the Indian Constitution.
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During his address, Shah remarked that invoking Ambedkar’s name repeatedly had become a "fashion" for the Congress. He said, “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata” (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar repeatedly. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have attained heaven across seven lifetimes). While asserting that the BJP is pleased that Congress is acknowledging Ambedkar, Shah challenged the party to reflect on its actual sentiments and actions regarding him.
The remarks drew sharp responses from Congress leaders, who called them offensive and accused Shah of undermining Ambedkar’s legacy.
Congress Leaders Condemn Shah’s Remarks
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), responded by asserting that those who believe in Manusmriti are bound to be at odds with Ambedkar’s ideology. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also rebuked the home minister, claiming the comments reflected the BJP-RSS’s long-standing opposition to Ambedkar and the Constitution.
“Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar did not allow Manusmriti to replace the Constitution. That is why there is so much hatred for him in the Sangh Parivar. For millions of people, including myself, Babasaheb is no less than God—a messiah for Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the poor,” Kharge stated in his post on X.
Calls for Apology Intensify
Senior Congress MP Jairam Ramesh termed Shah’s remarks "disgusting" and indicative of the BJP-RSS’s disdain for Ambedkar. Ramesh said, “Their hatred is so profound that even taking Ambedkar’s name irritates them. These are the same people whose ideological ancestors burned effigies of Babasaheb and talked of replacing the Constitution he drafted. Amit Shah must apologize to the nation.”
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal also criticized Shah, calling the comments “pathetic” and accusing the BJP of harboring contempt for Ambedkar’s progressive vision.
In a strongly worded statement, Venugopal wrote, “For crores of people, Dr. Ambedkar is equivalent to God, and the Constitution he drafted is our Holy Book. The BJP’s disdain for him and their reverence for Manusmriti is well-known. The home minister’s remarks in Rajya Sabha further confirm their deep-seated hatred for Ambedkar’s ideals.”
A Legacy Under Debate
The Congress also highlighted historical opposition by the RSS and BJP’s ideological predecessors to Ambedkar’s reforms. They accused the current government of undermining his principles while attempting to project superficial reverence.
As the uproar continues, the Congress maintains that Amit Shah’s remarks represent not just a personal affront but an insult to the millions who see Ambedkar as a symbol of justice and equality. The party has reiterated its demand for an unconditional apology from the home minister.
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