The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has planned a protest across the country on December 24 in protest against the statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
BSP Chief Mayawati came down heavily on the Shah’s comments and said that the comment showed his disrespect for the visionary Dr. Ambedkar, the architect of Indian constitution and a champion of Dalits and other oppressed sections of the society.
Writing a series of posts on X, Mayawati recalled Shah’s words as people-vexing and going against the dignity and justice with Ambedkar as their symbol.
She mentioned how Dr. Ambedkar played a vital role in framing the constitution which gave rights to the Dalits and other drawback sections of the society and other neglected sections of Indian society.
As Mayawati emphasized that many people consider Ambedkar a deity as their leader, any offense to him will not be tolerated.
The outrage started when Amit Shah made a statement in the Rajya Sabha on December 18 while debating on the Constitution.
Shah said that the opposition, instead of taking the name of Ambedkar as many times, if they would have taken the name of God they would have got ‘Jannat for seven births’.
This comment was also much criticized, Mayawati and others opining that it trivialized the colossal work done by Ambedkar. The BSP leader called on Shah to retract his statement and offer an apology for the offended.
As far as she was concerned, he had already fueled people’s anger within different circles in society.
Mayawati's call for a nationwide protest reflects the growing discontent among those who feel that Shah’s remarks were an insult to Ambedkar and to the rights of Dalits.
She clarified that if the Union Home Minister does not retract his statement, the BSP would intensify its protests.
The party has planned a peaceful demonstration at all district headquarters on December 24, which will be a significant expression of solidarity with the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar.
The BSP Chief also reminded the political parties, including the Congress and BJP, of their responsibility towards Ambedkar’s legacy.
She pointed out that it was thanks to Dr. Ambedkar’s tireless efforts that marginalised communities were granted legal rights in India, including reservations, which have played a crucial role in providing them opportunities for progress.
She reiterated that if these parties cannot show respect for Ambedkar, they should at least refrain from insulting him, especially considering the vast impact he had on securing rights for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under the Constitution.
The backlash against Shah’s comments has also sparked protests within the Parliament. On December 21, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with other MPs from the INDIA alliance, organised protests within the Parliament complex, demanding an apology and resignation from the Home Minister.
Tensions escalated when a scuffle broke out between BJP and opposition members, resulting in injuries to two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. Both parties have accused each other of pushing and causing the confrontation.
The Delhi Police have filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi in relation to the incident, further complicating the political situation.
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