The controversy arose from Shah’s address in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, in which he criticized the Congress party and suggested that it had become a “fashion” for them to repeatedly invoke Ambedkar’s name. He remarked, “If they had taken the name of God many times instead of Ambedkar, they would have got heaven for seven lives.”
In response, the opposition parliamentarians said that Dr. Shah Accused of insulting Ambedkar and protested by displaying photographs of the founder of the Constitution in the Parliament premises. Congress MP Manikam Tagore moved an adjournment motion on Wednesday morning to discuss Shah’s comments.
Union Minister Kiran Rijiju defended Shah and accused the Congress of historically conspiring against Ambedkar. He questioned the respect of the former Law and Justice Minister of India, highlighting the fact that Congress had worked to defeat Ambedkar in the elections despite his contributions. Noting that he was the first Buddhist to hold the post of Union Law Minister after Ambedkar, Rijiju said, “Today I am the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Ministers Arjun Meghwal and L Murugan, all three of us come from the same practice. I am the first Buddhist to become the Law Minister after 71 years of ensuring Ambedkar’s seat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticized the Congress, claiming that Shah had exposed the party’s history of insulting Ambedkar. In a series of posts, PM Modi claimed that the Congress remained in power for years without taking concrete steps to empower the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities. He said, “Amit Shah ji in Parliament exposed Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr Ambedkar and neglecting SC/ST communities. They are clearly shocked and appalled by the facts presented by them, so they are busy with drama now! Sadly, for them , the people know the truth Congress can try all they want but they cannot deny the worst genocide against SC/ST !communities has taken place under their rule, they stayed in power But nothing has been done to empower Scheduled Caste and Tribe communities.”
It is expected that this matter will be further addressed when the Parliament meets again on December 19.