“Enemies of Babasaheb”: Congress Slams PM Modi Over “Votebank Virus” Remark
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a sharp counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, branding them as “enemies of Babasaheb Ambedkar—both in the past and present.” His remarks came in response to Modi’s accusation that the Congress was spreading “votebank ka virus” by opposing the Waqf Amendment Act and disrespecting Ambedkar’s legacy.
Kharge Recalls Historical Opposition to Ambedkar
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Kharge pointed to the resistance Ambedkar faced from Hindu groups when he embraced Buddhism in 1956.
“These very people were Babasaheb’s enemies then, and they remain so today. Even during his lifetime, they opposed him. When he converted to Buddhism, do you know what they said? They mocked, ‘He belongs to the Mahar community, he is an untouchable. Now even Buddha has been made untouchable.’ Babasaheb’s Republican Party was opposed by the Hindu Mahasabha,” Kharge stated.
Congress’s Stand on Women’s Reservation
Kharge also reiterated the Congress’s demand for caste-specific quotas within the Women’s Reservation Bill, emphasizing the need for immediate implementation with provisions for SC, ST, and OBC women.
“Two years ago, when this bill was passed, we demanded its swift enforcement with reservations for marginalized women. This has been our long-standing fight, and we resolved in the Ahmedabad session to intensify our campaign,” he said.
He further challenged the BJP’s claims of upholding Ambedkar’s ideals, questioning their tangible contributions to social justice.
Modi’s Counter: “Congress Humiliated Ambedkar”
Earlier in the day, while inaugurating the first commercial flight to Ayodhya from Hisar, PM Modi accused the Congress of undermining Ambedkar’s vision for equality through divisive vote-bank politics.
“Dr. Ambedkar dreamed of dignity for the poor and backward, but Congress infected the nation with the virus of appeasement. The amended Waqf law will protect the lands of SCs, STs, and OBCs from encroachment—this is true social justice. The poor, including Pasmanda Muslims, will now get their rights,” Modi asserted.
He also dredged up historical grievances, recalling how the Congress allegedly sabotaged Ambedkar’s electoral prospects.
“Let us not forget how Congress treated Babasaheb—denying him victories, erasing his legacy, and attempting to bury his ideas. While he was the Constitution’s guardian, Congress has become its destroyer,” the PM charged.
Ambedkar’s Legacy in Focus
The war of words unfolds ahead of Ambedkar’s 135th birth anniversary on April 14, 2025. The Dalit icon and principal architect of India’s Constitution, Ambedkar rose from the oppressed Mahar community to become independent India’s first law minister, dedicating his life to securing rights for marginalized sections.
As political parties vie to claim his legacy, the debate underscores the enduring relevance of Ambedkar’s struggle—and the fierce contest over who truly represents his ideals.
