NEW DELHI: Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakash Ambedkar, on Wednesday criticised Union home minister Amit Shah for his remarks on the architect of the Indian Constitution, describing them as reflective of the BJP‘s “same old mentality.” His comments came amidst an ongoing political row, with opposition parties demanding a resignation from Shah, accusing him of insulting BR Ambedkar.
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Prakash Ambedkar, who heads the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), alleged that Shah’s remarks reveal the BJP’s underlying disdain for Ambedkar’s contributions. “Before the BJP came into existence, its forerunners Jan Sangh and RSS had opposed Babasaheb while the Constitution was being adopted,” he said. He added, “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.”
He also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the family of Somnath Suryawanshi, who died in judicial custody following violence in Parbhani city over the desecration of a Constitution replica.
The controversy erupted after Shah, during a Rajya Sabha debate, remarked, “It has become a fashion to repeatedly invoke Ambedkar’s name. If they had taken God’s name as often, they would have earned a place in heaven.”
The comments sparked outrage, with several MPs from the INDIA bloc staging protests in Parliament and the Congress demanding a public apology. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet of Shah’s remarks, accusing the BJP of belittling Ambedkar’s legacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, defended Shah, accusing the Congress of distorting his remarks. Modi claimed Shah’s comments exposed the Congress’ “anti-Ambedkar history,” alleging that the party had previously worked to undermine Ambedkar, including denying him the Bharat Ratna and opposing his electoral bids. “Congress can try as they want, but people know the truth about their legacy,” Modi stated.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, dismissed Modi’s defence, accusing the BJP of systematically undermining Ambedkar’s ideology. “They are against the Constitution and Ambedkar’s vision,” Gandhi said, warning that the BJP’s actions are aimed at erasing Ambedkar’s contributions.
