Amit Shah’s Remarks on Ambedkar Spark Outrage, Congress Demands Apology

New Delhi, India: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments in the Rajya Sabha have sparked a political storm, drawing sharp criticism from the Congress party. Shah, in his speech, mocked the Congress for frequently invoking Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s name, calling it a “fashion,” and quipped, “If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven.”

The remarks quickly ignited outrage, with Congress leaders accusing Shah and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of disrespecting Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the comments as an "insult" to Ambedkar's legacy, accusing the BJP-RSS of undermining India’s democratic symbols like the tricolour. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh condemned the remarks as "disgusting," highlighting what he called the BJP's deep-rooted animosity towards Ambedkar.

In a strongly worded response, the Congress has demanded a formal apology from Amit Shah, escalating tensions between the Congress and BJP over the ideological and political legacy of Ambedkar. The controversy not only reignites the debate over Dr. Ambedkar’s vision for India but also points to the ever-growing political divide within the country on the interpretation of its constitutional history.

Though this row has sparked political fury, defamation laws may not offer a path for legal recourse in this case, as Shah’s statements were made within the confines of parliamentary debate. Yet, the incident brings into sharp focus the ongoing divisions in India’s politics, with both parties contending for control over the memory and legacy of one of India's most significant figures.