Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Shah stated, "Mallikarjun Kharge is asking for my resignation. If it would have made him happy, I would have resigned, but it will not end his problems because he will have to sit in the same place (in the opposition) for the next 15 years. My resignation will not change that."
The controversy began during a parliamentary debate when Shah remarked that invoking Dr. Ambedkar's name had become a "fashion" for some political parties. He commented, "It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they took God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven."
These comments were met with strong opposition from Congress leaders, who accused Shah of disrespecting the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a revered figure among marginalized communities. In response, Kharge demanded Shah's immediate resignation, stating, "If a person becomes a minister by taking oath on the Constitution and then insults the Constitution, he has no right to remain in the cabinet. Amit Shah should be removed from the cabinet immediately."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Shah, accusing the Congress of distorting his remarks and highlighting the party's historical neglect of Dr. Ambedkar's contributions. Modi stated, "In Parliament, Amit Shah Ji 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!"
Shah further criticized the Congress, alleging that the party has a history of being "anti-Ambedkar" and "anti-Constitution." He pointed out that Dr. Ambedkar was not conferred the Bharat Ratna during Congress rule, stating, "As far as giving Bharat Ratna is concerned, Congress leaders have given Bharat Ratna to themselves many times. Nehru gave the Bharat Ratna to himself in 1955, and Indira Gandhi gave the Bharat Ratna to herself in 1971. Baba Saheb got the Bharat Ratna in 1990 when the Congress party was not in power and there was a government supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party."
The exchange has intensified the ongoing debate over the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and the political appropriation of his name. Analysts suggest that both parties are leveraging the issue to appeal to Dalit voters, a significant electoral demographic in India. The BJP has been emphasizing its efforts to honor Dr. Ambedkar's legacy, including the development of sites associated with him, referred to as "Panchteerth." Modi highlighted these initiatives, stating, "Our Government has worked to develop Panchteerth, the five iconic places associated with Dr. Ambedkar."
In contrast, the Congress has accused the BJP of merely paying lip service to Dr. Ambedkar's ideals while undermining the principles of social justice and equality that he championed. Kharge alleged that the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), do not believe in the Constitution and instead adhere to the Manusmriti, an ancient legal text criticized for its discriminatory principles. He stated, "The people of BJP-RSS do not believe in the Constitution. These people believe in Manusmriti."
The political tussle over Dr. Ambedkar's legacy is not new in Indian politics. Both the BJP and the Congress have, over the years, sought to align themselves with his ideals to garner support from Dalit communities. However, critics argue that such appropriations often lack substantive policy backing and are primarily symbolic.
As the debate rages on, it underscores the enduring significance of Dr. Ambedkar's legacy in contemporary Indian politics. His contributions to social justice, constitutionalism, and the upliftment of marginalized communities continue to serve as a benchmark against which political parties measure their commitment to inclusivity and equality.