The Parliament of India, on Thursday, turned to be a ‘Free for All’ after a high voltage political drama unfolded after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in the Parliament. BJP and Congress held simultaneous protests, and targeted each other over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar.
A BJP MP sustained injuries during the protest, with the party claiming that it occurred when Rahul Gandhi pushed another MP into him. Rahul Gandhi denied the allegations, claiming instead that the BJP had pushed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and blocked his own entry at the Parliament gate. The MPs from both camps came face to face, all holding placards bearing images of Ambedkar and accusing the other side of disrespecting him.
“Leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, scaled the walls of Makar Dwar, the main gate of Parliament, holding placards demanding an apology and the resignation of Amit Shah. They were dressed in blue clothes and wore blue caps, a colour associated with the Dalit movements.“
There was a political uproar on Wednesday over a comment made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in reference to Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Congress and other opposition parties accused Shah of insulting the Constitution maker and demanded an apology and resignation from him. Parliament remained stalled due to the strong uproar of the opposition parties in the House. Protests were also held in the Parliament premises.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Home Minister’s words were presented in a distorted manner. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly defended Shah and said on the social media platform that the union home minister has exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting the Constitution maker. He said, ‘If the Congress and its corrupt ecosystem think that its malicious lies can hide its many years of misdeeds towards Baba Saheb Ambedkar, then it is making a serious mistake.’ On this issue, the Congress and its associated organizations also took out a march to the Raj Bhavans in many states.
Opposition parties allege that Shah insulted Babasaheb during his address in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The Congress released a video excerpt of Shah’s address, in which the Home Minister can be heard taking a dig at the opposition and saying, ‘Now it has become a fashion – Ambedkar, Ambedkar … If you had taken the name of God so much, you would have got heaven for seven lives.’
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said at the party headquarters, ‘It is the misfortune of the country that such a comment has been made about a Dalit hero, who is revered by everyone. This is what is taught in the ‘school’ where Amit Shah studied. Shah should resign from the post of Home Minister”, he said.
“The Congress President said that if the Prime Minister has respect for Ambedkar, then Amit Shah should be sacked by 12 o’clock tonight. If this is not done, protests will be held across the country.”
Amit Shah hit back at the Congress in a press conference. He said that those who insulted Baba Saheb throughout their lives, sidelined his principles, today want to spread confusion in his name. Shah said, I come from that party and that culture which cannot insult Baba Saheb even in dreams. Taking a dig at the Congress President, Shah said that my resignation will not solve Kharge Saheb’s problems. His problems will not end, because he has to sit in the opposition for at least 15 years.
