Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra State Eknath Shinde also took darshan of Dikshabhoomi at Nagpur on Saturday On this a historical incident it is sorrowful that today Morning gate of the Mahaparinirvan Temple has remained closed.
He stressed modernity and the social emancipation of the downtrodden, particularly Dalit, through Ambedkar who helped them come out of the social pariah and really join the mainstream of society.
Shinde said that he really loves the place and it gets him inspired. I hear positive things from our workers, saying that when they are coming here; they feel motivated. That is why I come to this place every year to pay homage to Baba Saheb Ambedkar,” Shinde added.
This visit was conducted while there was a furore over some reported comments of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over Ambedkar. The opposition and many other political organizations have come up with sharp reactions following Shah’s comments in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
They quote Mangave, reportedly, as having said “If they (the opposition) had called the name of God as many times as they did Ambedkar, they would have got heaven seven times.”
Read such comments have elicited demonstrations across Maharashtra with representatives from every parties condemning the remarks.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with Shiv Sena (UBT), ncp, and the congress staged protests in front of the Maharashtra assembly on Thursday. They vehemently rejected Shah’s remarks saying that it is an insult to Dr. Ambedkar.
The MVA leaders called for Shah’s resignation over his utterances which they said were an attack on the country’s first Law Minister.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also expressed his displeasure over the remarks, stating that Ambedkar’s contributions were instrumental in ensuring that the citizens of India were granted rights.
"In this country, it was because of Babasaheb Ambedkar that citizens were granted rights. We consider him a god, and the hatred that Amit Shah displayed towards him in his speech is unacceptable. This is wrong," Thackeray said during a press conference.
As the controversy continued to unfold, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders held another protest near Mantralaya on Friday, further intensifying the outrage over Shah’s comments. The protests were part of a larger wave of criticism aimed at the Union Home Minister’s statement, which many believed undermined the efforts and sacrifices made by Ambedkar for social justice and equality.
In the national capital, the remarks led to further protests. On Thursday, members of the INDIA alliance, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest within the Parliament complex.
The MPs from the alliance demanded a public apology and the resignation of Amit Shah.
During the protest, a physical altercation occurred between the two sides, resulting in injuries to two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. Both MPs sustained injuries to their heads, and it was alleged by both parties that their members had been pushed and manhandled during the altercation.
Following the scuffle, Delhi Police filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi in connection with the incident, further complicating the ongoing tensions. The FIR was registered after BJP MPs accused Gandhi of instigating the altercation.
Eknath Shinde’s visit to Dikshabhoomi, alongside the protests and growing unrest, highlights the deep divisions the remarks have caused within Indian politics.
The protests also reflect the high regard in which Dr. Ambedkar is held, particularly among Dalits and other disadvantaged communities, who view him as a champion of their rights.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's role in shaping the Indian Constitution and his lifelong fight for the rights of Dalits and other underprivileged groups continues to be a point of pride for millions across the country.
His legacy is often invoked in the political discourse surrounding social justice and equality, and any criticism of his legacy typically sparks passionate responses, as seen in the recent protests.
As the debate rages on, the situation has also brought to light the polarising nature of contemporary Indian politics, with leaders from both sides accusing each other of undermining the values of equality and justice that Ambedkar fought so hard to instil in the Indian Constitution.
The coming days will reveal whether these protests will lead to any significant political outcomes or if the controversy will fade from the national spotlight.
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