Mamata Banerjee Calls for Statewide Protests Against Amit Shah’s 'Vitriolic' Remarks on Ambedkar

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced plans for a state-wide protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over remarks he made about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a debate in the Rajya Sabha. Banerjee condemned Shah’s comments as “vitriolic” and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of undermining the legacy of India’s Constitution and its framers.

In a Facebook post shared on Friday, Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the BJP and its leadership for what she called a "culture of hate and intolerance." The remarks by Amit Shah, made earlier this week during a discussion on the Constitution, had triggered widespread outrage, particularly within Dalit and Adivasi communities. Shah had allegedly dismissed the frequent invocation of Dr. Ambedkar's name as a "fashion" used for political gain. Union Home Minister however had later clarified that his statement was put out of context and the clip in circulation is not in entirety, didn’t reflect the real meaning of what he had said.

“The BJP has been systematically demolishing our constitutional ethos, tearing apart the values that define our democracy and the principles that bind us as a nation,” Banerjee wrote in her post. “Their vitriolic remarks against the Father of our Constitution, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, are a reflection of the culture of hate and intolerance that is being incubated.”

TMC Calls for Protests on December 23

Banerjee’s call for protests is scheduled for December 23, with rallies planned across all blocks of West Bengal and every ward of Kolkata between 2 PM and 3 PM. The TMC leader said the protests would not only be a condemnation of Shah's comments but also an assertion of the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
“Babasaheb envisioned a nation built on values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, where all classes, castes, creeds, and communities could live in harmony,” Banerjee continued. “This is not just an insult to Babasaheb but an attack on the entire Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, an assault on the legacy of our freedom fighters, and a betrayal of our Dalit and Adivasi brethren.” Banerjee’s post concluded with a call to action, urging supporters to unite and hold the BJP accountable for what she described as “unforgivable actions.”
“I urge you to join us in this fight to defend Babasaheb’s legacy and our Constitutional spirit. Let’s unite to hold the BJP accountable for their unforgivable actions,” Banerjee wrote.

Amit Shah’s Controversial Remarks

The controversy erupted when Amit Shah, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, made a controversial statement during a debate on the Constitution. Shah accused the Congress party of using Dr. Ambedkar’s name for political advantage, stating, "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 secured a place in heaven.)
Shah’s remark, which many interpreted as dismissive of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy, has sparked outrage, particularly among Dalit, Adivasi, and other marginalised communities who view Ambedkar as a symbol of justice and empowerment. Shah had later blamed congress for twisting his statement. The BJP, however, has defended Shah, claiming that his words were taken out of context. BJP leaders have argued that Shah was merely addressing the Congress's political rhetoric and not attacking the legacy of Ambedkar himself. Nevertheless, Banerjee’s comments have set the stage for a larger confrontation between the TMC and BJP. The call for statewide protests is seen as part of a broader campaign by Mamata Banerjee to challenge the BJP’s influence in West Bengal.​