Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday defended his controversial remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, accusing the Opposition and media of distorting his words and spreading falsehoods. Shah’s comments, made during the Constitution Debate in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, had triggered a fierce political storm, with many accusing him of belittling the Dalit icon.
In a press conference, Shah emphasised, “I belong to a party which can never insult Ambedkar ji. First Jan Sangh and then Bharatiya Janata Party have always tried to follow the principles of Ambedkar ji.” He further clarified that his statement was taken out of context, adding, “My statement was presented in a distorted manner. Earlier, they made PM Narendra Modi’s edited statements public. When the elections were going on, my statement was edited using AI. And today they are presenting my statement in a distorted manner. I also want to request the media to put my full statement in front of the public.”
The Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
Shah's remarks, made during a speech marking the 75th year of India’s Constitution, had caused an uproar in both houses of Parliament. While discussing the political use of Ambedkar’s name, Shah had remarked, “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). The statement quickly drew criticism from opposition leaders, who accused Shah of trivializing Ambedkar’s legacy for political gain. Calls for Shah's resignation grew louder, with many arguing that such remarks were disrespectful to Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution.
Mamata Banerjee Slams Shah Over ‘Casteist’ Comments
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was one of the first to respond to Shah’s remarks. Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Banerjee called Shah’s statement “casteist” and “anti-Dalit.” She wrote, “HM Amit Shah’s remarks are an insult to the millions who look up to Babasaheb for guidance and inspiration. But what else can you expect from a party that has internalised HATE and BIGOTRY?” The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is a strong critic of the BJP, moved a privilege motion against Shah under Rule 187, introduced by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.
Congress Demands Shah’s Resignation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also strongly condemned Shah's comments, accusing him of insulting both Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution. Kharge said, “He has insulted Baba Saheb Ambedkar and the Constitution. His ideology of Manusmriti and RSS makes it clear that he does not wish to respect the Constitution created by Baba Saheb Ambedkar.” He demanded an apology from Shah and called for his resignation, stating, “We condemn this, and we demand his resignation. He should apologise to the people of the country.” In response, Shah expressed disappointment with Kharge’s reaction, accusing him of being “unfortunately” misled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He rejected the claims, asserting that his comments were misinterpreted.
Shah’s Defence: Clarifying the Ambedkar Cabinet Remarks
During his remarks in the Rajya Sabha, Shah also addressed Dr. Ambedkar’s resignation from Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. Shah claimed that Ambedkar had been dissatisfied with the Congress government’s treatment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, leading to his decision to resign. “Ambedkar ji has said several times that he was not satisfied with the treatment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He wanted to quit the cabinet, he was given an assurance, and when the assurance was not fulfilled, he resigned,” Shah had said during the Constitution Debate.
Political Backlash Continues
Despite Shah’s defence, the controversy over his “Ambedkar fashion” comment continues to reverberate through political circles. Opposition leaders have voiced concerns about the BJP's treatment of Ambedkar's legacy, accusing the party of undermining the vision of equality enshrined in India’s Constitution. With calls for Shah’s resignation growing, the political divide remains stark, with the BJP and the Opposition locked in a war of words over the interpretation of Shah's remarks.
