Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar, accusing him of lacking commitment to Ambedkar’s principles.
Published Dec 21, 2024 | 2:06 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 21, 2024 | 2:31 PM
Amit Shah in Parliament. (Screengrab)
In a sharp rebuttal to recent controversial remarks about Dr BR Ambedkar by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge stating that Shah’s comments reflected a lack of belief in Ambedkar’s principles.
Speaking to the media at Kalaburagi on 21 December, he said: “We will chant Ambedkar’s name and uphold the Constitution’s values, not just ten times but a thousand times.
“Their (Amit Shah’s) issue is that their ideology lacks the essence of Ambedkar’s principles—equality and justice. Their perspective is devoid of social equity, and they actively resist it. They stand against it.”
Kharge, who serves as the Minister of State for IT, BT, and Science & Technology in the Government of Karnataka, emphasised the empowering nature of Ambedkar’s philosophy, stating:
“Let me state this very clearly: chanting God’s name hundreds or thousands of times might not guarantee entry into heaven, not even in seven lifetimes.
“However, chanting Ambedkar’s name empowers us here and now—granting us political, economic, and social self-reliance in this very life. This, I am absolutely sure of.”
Kharge further linked this ideological divide to a broader conflict between the teachings of figures like Ambedkar and Basavanna and the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“This is why Babasaheb’s and Basavanna’s ideologies challenge the foundation of RSS ideology. As these ideals gain strength, their narrative weakens.
“It is in this context that these comments have been made, and I strongly condemn them,” Kharge declared.
Earlier this week, on 18 December, addressing Parliament during a debate to mark 75 years of the Constitution, Shah stated that taking Ambedkar’s name had become a “fashion” in recent times.
“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 stated.
The Home Minister further added: “Take his name 100 times more, but I want to say what are your sentiments about him.” He noted that Dr B.R. Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet following his disagreement with the Jawaharlal Nehru-led government.
In response, the Opposition raised slogans against the minister, leading to the adjournment of both houses while protests erupted nationwide.
A wave of calls for Shah’s resignation, as well as statements criticising his remarks, followed.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Shah’s remarks insulted not only Dr Ambedkar but also Dalits and the citizens of India. He further called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah by midnight if he respected Ambedkar.
Big Protests all over India
against Amit Shah ‘s Insulting Remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar ji in Parliament yesterdayRJD leaders and Workers Burn Effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna in protest pic.twitter.com/DaOpBhzODD
— Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) December 18, 2024
Rejecting Shah’s characterisation of Ambedkar as a “fashion,” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described him as an eternal inspiration for the countless lives he had transformed.
On 20 December, INDIA bloc MPs organised a protest march from Vijay Chowk to the Parliament complex, demanding an apology and the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks about Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, NDA MPs, led by the BJP, staged a counter-protest, accusing the Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar.
Facing criticism over his remarks in Parliament about Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Amit Shah accused the Congress of “distorting and twisting” his statements and circulating “mischievous” videos.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted a series of messages on X defending his cabinet colleague.
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
Shah defended his statements, asserting they were based on factual instances of the Congress undermining Ambedkar’s legacy, including the imposition of Emergency and alleged insults to VD Savarkar.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP national headquarters in New Delhi on 18 December, Shah stated: “The Congress has done this even in the past, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements have been distorted to mislead the people.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
