The ongoing protests in Parliament on December 18, 2024, have been triggered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, leading to strong reactions from the opposition.
Shah, in a speech on December 17 in the Rajya Sabha, said “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata.“
Translated, this means: “It has become fashion now to say ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. Had you taken god’s name so many times, you would have got a place in heaven.”
This comment sparked outrage among Congress and other opposition parties, who staged protests in Parliament, demanding an apology from Shah. Protesters raised slogans like “Jai Bhim,” “Sangh ka Vidhan nahi chalega,” and “Amit Shah maafi maango” (Amit Shah, apologize).
Dr. Ambedkar, as the architect of the Indian Constitution, holds immense respect in the country, particularly among Dalits and marginalized communities.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Shah’s remarks, accusing the BJP and RSS of harbouring animosity towards Ambedkar and his vision. Kharge stated that the “insult” to Ambedkar further exposed the BJP-RSS’s anti-Constitution stance, alleging that the Sangh Parivar leaders were in favour of implementing Manusmriti rather than the Constitution of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, came to Shah’s defence, posting a series of tweets on X. Modi claimed that Shah had uncovered the Congress party’s “dark history” of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and neglecting the interests of SC/ST communities. He wrote, “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!”
He further said the government honours Ambedkar’s vision and welfare of marginalized communities, stating, “It is due to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that we are what we are! Our Government has worked tirelessly to fulfil the vision of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar over the last decade.”
