Congress stung by Shah’s expose on its insults of Ambedkar: PM Modi

As the Congress mounted a massive offensive against the ruling BJP over Home Minister Amit Shah’s Tuesday remarks about BR Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday defended the Home Minister saying the Opposition party had been stung by Shah’s expose on its serial insults of the Father of the Indian Constitution.

”If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken!” said Modi defending Shah after both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned until 2 pm over Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar yesterday in the Rajya Sabha when he was replying to the debate on the Constitution.

Modi said people of India have seen time and again how one party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr Ambedkar and humiliate the SC/ST communities.

“The list of the Congress’ sins towards Dr Ambedkar includes: Getting him defeated in elections not once but twice; Pandit Nehru campaigning against him and making his loss a prestige issue; denying him a Bharat Ratna; denying his portrait a place of pride in Parliament’s Central Hall,” said the Prime Minister.

He said the Congress can try as they want but they can’t deny that the worst massacres against SC/ST communities have happened under their regimes.

”For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities,” Modi added.

He said in in Parliament, Shah had exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST communities.

“They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics. Sadly, for them, people know the truth!

“It is due to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar that we are what we are! Our government has worked tirelessly to fulfil the vision of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar over the last decade,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister added that across sectors, government schemes—be it removing 25 crore people from poverty, strengthening the SC/ST Act, our government’s flagship programmes, like Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana and more, have touched the lives of the poor and marginalised.

“Our government has worked to develop Panchteerth, the five iconic places associated with Dr Ambedkar. For decades, there was a pending issue on land for Chaitya Bhoomi. Not only did our government resolve the issue, I have gone to pray there as well. We have also developed 26, Alipur Road, in Delhi, where Dr Ambedkar spent his last years. The house where he lived in London has also been acquired by the government. When it comes to Dr Ambedkar, our respect and reverence is absolute,” the Prime Minister said as the Congress sought to turn the tide on the BJP.

Shah had yesterday said to the Congress, “Had you taken the name of God as many times as you take the name of Ambedkar, you would have benefitted. We are happy you are taking BR Ambedkar’s name but then also speak about your real sentiments and approach towards Ambedkar. Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet because of his differences over issues including Article 370; unhappiness over government’s treatment of SCs and STs,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said then Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru said at the time the Cabinet would not be weakened if Ambedkar leaves the Cabinet.

”This is their reality. How appropriate is it to use for votes the name of Dr Ambedkar, whom you opposed all your life? You are now in minority which is why you are remembering Ambedkar,” said Shah.

BJP leaders alleged the Congress peddled selected part of Shah’s speech to create a distortion.