Tug of war over Ambedkar remarks: Opposition steps up attack, BJP launches counter offensive | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The political faceoff over B R Ambedkar, triggered by Amit Shah‘s remarks in Rajya Sabha during the Constitution debate, has spilled over from Parliament to the streets with opposition parties trying to make the most of the controversy while the BJP launching a coordinated counter offensive to control the damage.
Launching an all-out offensive on the issue, the Congress today took out protest march in several states demanding the resignation of Amit Shah. The grand-old-party has announced to take up the issue of “insult” to B R Ambedkar at its CWC meeting to be held in Karnataka’s Belagavi from December 26 and has promised a “strong follow-up” action.
“Over the last week, Congress party workers all over India have been participating in agitation. Today, all district committees are holding demonstrations and will be submitting a memorandum to the President of India, through the district collectors, demanding the resignation of home minister Amit Shah,” Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said.
In Lucknow, Bahujan Samaj Party workers held protests in parts of the state demanding Amit Shah’s resignation. BSP chief Mayawati had earlier described Shah’s remarks as deeply hurtful to Ambedkar’s followers.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party has announced to organize ‘PDA Charcha (discussion)’ programme across all assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh from December 26 to January 25. The initiative aims to safeguard the Constitution and propagate the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar, party chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said.
“The statement made by the Union home minister in Parliament was ‘disrespectful’ to Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution,” the party said in a statement. The Samajwadi Party contends that dominant, feudal forces have historically opposed Ambedkar’s principles of equality, as these challenged their traditional authority and sought to empower oppressed and underprivileged communities, it said.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh also demanded either resignation or apology from Amit Shah and said the BJP needs to clarify its stand.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah insulted Dr BR Ambedkar and the spirit of the Constitution. Many parties including TMC, condemned and opposed the statement of Union home minister Amit Shah. He should reconsider his statement, beg your pardon or resign. Every party including TMC is protesting and after all this BJP is under pressure. They (BJP) have to take some stand and clarify their stand with the nation,” Kunal Ghosh said.
The BJP responded strongly to the opposition attack and launched a coordinated counter offensive. Almost all BJP chief ministers came out in defence of Amit Shah and attacked the Congress for distorting the statement of Union home minister.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath demanded an apology from Congress for continuously insulting Bharat Ratna Baba Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has worked to build the country of Baba Saheb’s dreams.
The UP CM said the Congress has a “history of insulting” Dalits and the underprivileged in the country.
Last week, Parliament saw dramatic scenes following Amit Shah’s remarks. There were parallel protests from both the treasury and the opposition benches. The protests outside Parliament led to a huge scuffle between the two sides with two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, sustaining injuries. Both parties alleged that their party members had been pushed around.
Later, Delhi Police registered an FIR based on BJP’s comlaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. A delegation of Congress MPs, including women MPs, also approached Parliament Street Police Station, accusing BJP leaders of misbehaving with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge during the scuffle in Parliament premises.
With elections in Delhi scheduled early next year, the opposition will continue to rake up the issue to put the BJP on the defensive. Moreover, with the Congress making it clear that it will not stop protesting till Amit Shah resigns and apologises, we may continue to see this controversy play out for some more time.
(With inputs from agencies)