Karnataka Congress leader and former MLA Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri stirred controversy on Tuesday by claiming that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was on the verge of converting to Islam, and that had this happened, many Dalits, including state Home Minister G. Parameshwara, would be Muslims today.
Speaking at a rally in Shiggaon, Khadri said, “Babasaheb Ambedkar was all set to accept Islam but eventually chose Buddhism. Had he joined Islam, leaders like Ramappa Timmapur would be Rahim, Dr. Parameshwara would be ‘Peer Saheb,’ and Manjunath Timmapur would be ‘Mehboob.’”
The remarks prompted an immediate response from the Congress, which sought to distance itself. MLC Nagaraj Yadav, present during the speech, criticized the statement.
“This is an unwarranted comment by Khadri, and I don’t second it at all. Dr. Ambedkar is a revered leader who advocated for unity and acceptance across religions. Khadri should avoid making such divisive statements,” Yadav said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned Khadri’s comments. BJP leader C.T. Ravi accused Khadri and the Congress of ignorance, stating, “Ambedkar was approached by the Nizam of Hyderabad to convert to Islam with lucrative offers, but he rejected it, citing a lack of equality and tolerance in the religion.”
Khadri’s remarks come amidst heightened political activity ahead of the Shiggaon by-election on November 13. Khadri, who rebelled against the Congress after being denied a ticket, is contesting as an Independent candidate.
Meanwhile, Congress has accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to undermine Ambedkar’s Constitution and replace it with one aligned with the Manusmriti. “This is why Prime Minister Modi calls the caste census an attempt to divide the nation,” said Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh.
As debates heat up, political leaders on all sides are invoking Ambedkar’s legacy to bolster their narratives ahead of crucial elections.
