New Delhi [India]: Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar during the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kharge also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss Shah by midnight if he truly respects Ambedkar.
“We demand 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 removed; only then will people remain silent. Otherwise, there will be protests. People are ready to sacrifice their lives for Dr BR Ambedkar,” Kharge said.
Kharge condemned Shah’s statement, accusing the BJP-led NDA government of disrespecting the Constitution. “Yesterday, Amit Shah said something which is very condemnable. It is unfortunate that a Dalit, who should be worshipped, was insulted. I am forced to say that these people [BJP-led NDA government] don’t believe in the Constitution,” he remarked.
Highlighting PM Modi’s tweets supporting Shah’s remarks, Kharge accused Modi of backing “sins.” He said, “PM Modi made 6-7 tweets to defend Amit Shah. What was the need for this? If someone says something wrong about BR Ambedkar, he should be removed from the cabinet. But they are friends and are supporting each other’s sins.”
Earlier, PM Modi defended Amit Shah’s remarks, stating that Shah had exposed the Congress’ history of disrespecting Ambedkar. In a series of posts on X, Modi claimed that Congress was stunned by the facts presented by Shah during the debate.
“In Parliament, Amit Shah Ji exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities. They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth! Congress can try as they want, but they can’t deny that the worst massacres against SC/ST Communities have happened under their regimes. For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister went on to list what he termed the Congress’ “sins” against Ambedkar, including blocking his electoral victories, denying him the Bharat Ratna, and not giving his portrait a place of honor in Parliament’s Central Hall. “The list of the Congress’ sins towards Dr Ambedkar includes getting him defeated in elections not once but twice. Pandit Nehru campaigned against him, making his loss a prestige issue. Denying him a Bharat Ratna. Denying his portrait, a place of pride in Parliament’s Central Hall,” Modi asserted.
This political exchange highlights the enduring tension between the BJP and Congress over Ambedkar’s legacy and their respective commitments to empowering marginalized communities.