Protests erupted in the Lok Sabha on December 18 after Congress leaders accused Home Minister Amit Shah of insulting Dr. BR Ambedkar during his speech. In a widely circulated video clip, Shah is heard saying, “There is a fashion now to say ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar.’ Had you [Congress] taken God’s name as many times, you would have gone to heaven by now.”
The remark drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge condemned Shah’s statement and demanded his resignation.
DMK MP TR Baalu also joined the protests in Parliament. Leaders from other INDIA Bloc parties, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, also denounced Shah’s comments.
The BJP defended Shah, claiming his statement was taken out of context. They argued that the viral clip misrepresented his speech, which highlighted Ambedkar’s dissatisfaction with Congress during his tenure in independent India’s first cabinet. The BJP reiterated that Shah was emphasizing Congress’s failure to fulfill promises made to Ambedkar.
In his speech on December 17, Shah criticized the Congress for invoking Ambedkar’s name while ignoring his historical grievances against the party. He cited Ambedkar’s resignation from the first cabinet, attributing it to dissatisfaction with Congress’s treatment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, disagreements over foreign policy, and opposition to Article 370. Shah also claimed that Nehru, in a letter to BC Roy, downplayed Ambedkar’s departure, saying it wouldn’t cause much damage compared to C. Rajagopalachari’s exit.
However, it must be noted that earlier such claims by the BJP that Ambedkar opposed Article 370–that granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir—have been tracked by The Telegraph and The Wire to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) mouthpiece Organiser, and not to direct quotes by him.
Opposition’s Reactions
Speaking to the media, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of being against Ambedkar and his ideology. He said, “This is an attack on the Constitution. From the beginning, the BJP has sought to dismantle the work done by Ambedkar. Their ultimate goal is to undo the Constitution.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray told ANI, “Amit Shah’s remarks in Parliament were insolent. Ambedkar is a national figure, not tied to any side. The BJP’s continued disrespect towards the architect of our Constitution is unacceptable. Will the BJP and RSS take action against Shah? Or did they instruct him to say this? Other BJP allies like Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, and Ajit Pawar must clarify where they stand. Will Ramdas Athawale continue to remain in the cabinet despite this insult to Ambedkar?”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin issued a statement saying, “Only those burdened by extensive sins worry about redemption. True patriots who care for the country and its Constitution revere Revolutionary Leader Ambedkar.”
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, quoting Ambedkar on social media, wrote, “Hinduism is a threat to liberty, equality, and fraternity.” He added, “The descendants of Savarkar cannot bear the fact that Ambedkar’s name resonates across the country. Amit Shah has exposed the Sangh Parivar’s true face. Their enemy has always been Ambedkar and the Constitution. Any praise they offer is mere deception.”
Actor and president of the newly-launched party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, said, “Some people may be allergic to the name of Ambedkar. But for all those who breathe free air, he is an incomparable political and intellectual figure. Ambedkar. Ambedkar. Ambedkar. Let us keep saying his name as our hearts and lips rejoice. We cannot allow our ideological leader to be insulted. TVK strongly condemns the Union Home Minister.”
