Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday strongly condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. BR Ambedkar in Parliament, asserting that Babasaheb is their “fashion, passion, motivation, and inspiration.”
Key Highlights:
- Criticism of BJP and Amit Shah:
- Yadav accused Amit Shah and the BJP of being “anti-constitution” and spreading hatred.
- He condemned the language used by Shah during a discussion in Parliament, calling it “reflective of BJP’s narrow mindset.”
- Yadav’s Remarks:
- “Babasaheb Ambedkar is our fashion and passion. He is also our motivation and inspiration. We will not let anyone insult Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Yadav said.
- He alleged that the RSS and BJP lack their own Mahapurush (great leaders) and often resort to insulting national icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Ambedkar.
- Amit Shah’s Statement:
- During a Rajya Sabha session, Amit Shah accused the Congress of making it a “fashion” to invoke Ambedkar’s name for political purposes.
- Shah’s remarks have since drawn criticism from multiple opposition leaders.
Mayawati Joins the Debate
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati also weighed in on the controversy, criticizing both the BJP and Congress.
- Mayawati’s Statements:
- She called on the two parties to show genuine respect for Ambedkar instead of leveraging his name for political gain.
- In a series of posts on X, Mayawati stated, “For Dalits and other marginalized communities, BR Ambedkar is the only god. It is because of him that these communities received legal rights through the Constitution.”
- She labeled the apparent affection of BJP and Congress for Dalits as deceptive, claiming it was only for political gain.
Opposition’s Unified Stand
Several opposition parties, including the RJD and BSP, have criticized the BJP over its approach to Ambedkar’s legacy. Protests were staged on Parliament premises, with leaders holding photographs of Dr. Ambedkar to express their dissent.
Political Implications
The remarks by Amit Shah and subsequent opposition backlash have sparked a broader conversation about the respect and reverence shown towards historical and national icons, especially those from marginalized communities. As the controversy unfolds, it highlights the recurring political debate over Ambedkar’s legacy and its significance in contemporary Indian politics.