A political storm erupted on Thursday after the BJP shared a photo on its official X handle depicting INDIA Bloc MPs holding a picture of George Soros during their protest in Parliament. The opposition, including Congress MPs like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, had initially protested by holding photos of Dr. BR Ambedkar to oppose Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks.
Opposition’s Reaction
Congress MP KC Venugopal condemned the BJP’s actions, accusing them of mocking Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.
- KC Venugopal:
- Criticized BJP for “ridiculing” Dr. Ambedkar by substituting his image with Soros’s.
- Accused BJP of trying to “diminish Ambedkar’s stature for narrow political goals.”
- Called for accountability over Shah’s remarks, stating the BJP was compounding the insult instead of addressing it.
Congress Karnataka MLA Priyank Kharge echoed Venugopal’s sentiments:
- Priyank Kharge:
- Criticized Amit Shah as “incompetent” and accused BJP of further demeaning Ambedkar by invoking Soros.
- Claimed BJP’s animosity stems from Ambedkar’s opposition to Hindutva and RSS ideologies.
BJP’s Counterattack
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the controversy, labeling Congress as “anti-BR Ambedkar and anti-Constitution.”
- Amit Shah:
- Defended his statements in Parliament, dismissing Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s resignation demands as inconsequential to the party’s electoral future.
- Accused Congress of fostering “falsehoods” and lacking genuine respect for Dr. Ambedkar.
Broader Political Implications
The controversy unfolded amid heightened tensions in Parliament:
- Opposition Protests: Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned due to uproar from opposition members.
- Congress Demands: The party sought Amit Shah’s resignation, alleging that his remarks caused “immense hurt” to Ambedkar’s followers.
This incident reflects a growing confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition INDIA Bloc over Ambedkar’s legacy and broader ideological differences, with both sides leveraging the debate for political gain.