Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments on B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha has sparked a heated political debate nationwide. While the opposition accused Shah of disrespecting the father of the Constitution, the BJP hit back, alleging that the Congress was using Ambedkar for electoral gains.
What is the controversy about?
On December 17, 2024, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, the Union Home Minister stated that Congress had made it a habit to invoke Dr Ambedkar’s name. “If they had mentioned God’s name as frequently as they mention Ambedkar’s, they would have earned seven lifetimes in heaven,” he remarked. Posting Shah’s speech on his X handle, Congress’s Lok Sabha MP and party General Secretary K C Venugopal alleged that the Union Home Minister had insulted Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
Did Amit Shah actually say that?
However, a look at the complete speech by Amit Shah in the floor of the house, uploaded by Sansad TV on its official YouTube channel indicates that the Home Minister does not make the controversial remarks in isolation, but in context of his attack on the Congress party and its treatment of Ambedkar. One hour and seven minutes into the speech uploaded on the YouTube channel, the home minister is heard saying the now viral remarks. “Invoking Ambedkar’s name has now become a fashion. If they had mentioned God’s name as often as they mentioned Ambedkar’s, they would have earned heaven for seven lifetimes. It is a good thing,” he says, but is immediately interrupted by Mallikarjuna Kharge, saying “so should we not take Ambedkar’s name?”
At this point, Shah continues, saying “No no…Listen… Listen please. We are happy that you now take Ambedkar’s name. Take Ambedkar’s name a hundred more times, but at the same time, let me tell you what your attitude towards Ambedkarji was. Why did Ambedkar resign from the country’s first cabinet? Ambedkarji expressed his displeasure multiple times over the treatment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the country. He disagreed with the government’s foreign policy and also Article 370. This is why he wanted to resign. Although he was reassured, those assurances were not fulfilled, and he was ignored, leading to his resignation. BC Roy wrote a letter expressing concern about the consequences of two learned individuals Ambedkarji and Rajaji resigning from the cabinet. In his reply, Nehruji acknowledged that while Rajaji’s departure would cause some loss, Ambedkar’s resignation would not weaken the cabinet. This reflects their attitude. Khargeji was asking, “What is the objection?” You opposed Ambedkar, yet now you repeatedly take his name for votes. Is this the right thing to do? Since Ambedkar’s followers are now in sufficient numbers, you are now constantly invoking Ambedkar’s name.”
Amit Shah’s statements, thus isolated from his subsequent criticism of Congress for their alleged disregard of Ambedkar and the values he stood for, have since gone viral on social media without the contextual information.
‘Congress trying to create false narratives,’ says Shah
Reacting to the controversy over his remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Congress of distorting his statement in Parliament. He further called Congress “anti-reservation, anti-Ambedkar and anti-Constitution”, and asserted that that the party is wrongly presenting his remarks and is trying to create a false narrative in the society. “It has now become common for Congress to twist people’s statements and create a ruckus around it. Earlier, they had spread edited statements of the Prime Minister. During the elections, my statements were edited using AI and then it was spread throughout the country. Today, they twisted my statements on Ambedkar. I wish to clarify and request the media to present my statements in its entirety to the people. I come from a party that cannot insult Ambdekar.”
Opposition up in arms against Shah’s remarks
Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismiss Amit Shah from the Cabinet. “If the Prime Minister truly respects Babasaheb Ambedkar, he should remove Amit Shah from his position… This is an insult to a Dalit icon and reflects their disregard for the Constitution,” he stated.
“Those who believe in the Manusmriti will surely have problems with Ambedkar ji,” Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had said late on Tuesday night.
The Trinamool Congress also moved a privilege notice against the Union Home Minister, while the party supremo and West Bengal’s CM Mamta Banerjee strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that Amit Shah’s remarks reflect the party’s “casteist” and “anti-Dalit mindset.”
Protesting near the BJP headquarters, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said that Shah’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of crores of Dalits and demanded “strict action” against him.
Raising the allegation once again that the BJP had wanted to change the constitution, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “The BJP is nervous about the growing influence of PDA (Pragatisheel Dalit Alliance) and that is why such statements are being made from time to time.”
Prakash Ambedkar, Ambedkar’s grandson, said, “Before the BJP came into existence, its forerunners Jana Sangh and RSS had opposed Babasaheb while the Constitution was being adopted… There is nothing new in the statement. They are not able to execute their old plans. Not because of Congress, but because of Babasaheb Ambedkar, and they will continue to sulk.”
PM backs Shah, attacks Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile, strongly defended Amit Shah asserting that the Home Minister had only highlighted the Congress’s “dark history of insulting” the architect of the Constitution.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah met with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on the afternoon of December 18, 2024. Sources clarified that the meeting was unrelated to the “Ambedkar is fashion” controversy, stating that the four senior political leaders convened to discuss the appointment of the next National Human Rights Commission chief.
Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
