Kharge accused the BJP, including Modi and Shah, of upholding the values of Manusmriti over those of the Constitution. He alleged that Shah's remarks insulted not only Dr Ambedkar but also Dalits and the citizens of India.
Published Dec 18, 2024 | 5:56 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 18, 2024 | 6:30 PM
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
Taking umbrage at Union Minister Amit Shah’s remark about BR Ambedkar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack his Cabinet colleague by midnight on Wednesday, 18 December, if he respected the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Addressing a news conference in New Delhi, Kharge slammed Shah for his statement in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, 17 December. The Union minister had said that “chanting Ambedkar-Ambedkar has now become a fashion”, which invited countrywide criticism.
“Yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said something which is very condemnable. It is unfortunate that a Dalit, who should be worshiped, was insulted. I am forced to say that these people (BJP-led NDA government) don’t believe in the Constitution,” Kharge told reporters.
“Our demand is that Amit Shah should apologize and if PM Modi has faith in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar then he should be sacked by midnight… He has no right to remain in the Cabinet, he should be sacked only then people will remain silent, otherwise, people will protest. People are ready to sacrifice their lives for Dr BR Ambedkar…,” the AICC chief said.
Later in the evening, Shah said the Congress distorted his statement using Artificial Intelligence.
Kharge also accused the BJP, including Modi and Shah, of upholding the values of Manusmriti over those of the Constitution. He alleged that Shah’s remarks insulted not only Dr Ambedkar but also Dalits and the citizens of India.
“…These people do not believe in the Constitution. They talk about Manusmriti…PM Modi made six tweets to defend Amit Shah. What was the need for this? If someone says wrong about BR Ambedkar, he should be removed from the cabinet. But they are friends and are supporting each other’s sins…,” Kharge said.
Shah made the comment while participating in the Constitution debate in the Upper House.
“Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. If they took God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” he said.
“Take his name 100 times more, but I want to say what your sentiments are about him,” Shah said, adding that Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet following disagreements with the Jawaharlal Nehru-led government. Incidentally, Ambedkar quit the cabinet over the delay in approving his revolutionary Hindu code bill. The right wing was vehemently against Ambedkar’s reformist Hindu code bill and the Nehru government was reluctant to back it immediately but eventually implemented it in a revised form.
Shah met journalists after Kharge’s news conference on Wednesday. He claimed that the Congress distorted his remarks.
“Since yesterday, Congress has been presenting the facts in a distorted way and I condemn it… Congress is anti-BR Ambedkar, it is against reservation and the Constitution,” the home minister told reporters.
“Congress also insulted Veer Savarkar. By imposing Emergency, they violated all Constitutional values. Congress distorted PM Modi’s statements during polls and they used AI to distort my statements. I belong to a party which can never disrespect Dr Ambedkar,” he said.
Claiming that it was the BJP that truly understood Ambedkar’s works, he said Ambedkar got the Bharat Ratna in 1990 when BJP was in power.
“…When the discussion was going on in Parliament, it was proved how the Congress opposed Baba Saheb Ambedkar. How the Congress tried to make fun of Baba Saheb even after his death… As far as giving Bharat Ratna is concerned, Congress leaders have given Bharat Ratna to themselves many times. Nehru gave Bharat Ratna to himself in 1955, Indira gave Bharat Ratna to herself in 1971 and Baba Saheb got Bharat Ratna in 1990, when the Congress party was not in power and there was a government supported by Bharatiya Janata Party… Nehru’s hatred towards Ambedkar is well known…,” he added.
Shah highlighted the BJP’s efforts to honour BR Ambedkar by saying his party, when in power, developed several sites associated with Ambedkar. He also pointed out that it was the Modi government that announced Constitution Day to honour his legacy.
Shah then addressed Kharge, asking him not to act under Rahul Gandhi’s pressure. “I request Congress president Kharge to not act under pressure of Rahul Gandhi. Kharge ji belongs to the community to which Ambedkar belonged and I was expecting a responsible behaviour by him. I urge the media to show my entire statement that will show crystal clear that I have not disrespected Dr Ambedkar,” he said.
Urging people to listen to his remarks in entirety, Shah said he belonged to “a party and society that can never insult Dr BR Ambedkar even in the dreams.”
He also stated that “The BJP will examine all legal options. Whatever legal action can be taken inside and outside Parliament, all possibilities will be considered.”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
