Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader within the RLD, publicly demanded an apology from Shah, asserting that his statements about Ambedkar were inappropriate and had caused distress within the Dalit community. He emphasized that Ambedkar is revered as a deity by many, and any perceived disrespect towards him is deeply hurtful. Gautam stated, "Amit Shah’s statement on Babasaheb is not correct, because the statement goes against those people who consider Babasaheb as God."
In response to Gautam's remarks, the RLD leadership took the unprecedented step of removing all spokespersons from their positions. Trilok Tyagi, RLD General Secretary (Organisation), issued a statement confirming the dismissals, citing the need for organizational restructuring. He noted that some spokespersons were inactive, while others were overly active, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul. Tyagi mentioned, "Now, they (a new set of spokespersons) will again be made after some time."
RLD State President Ramashish Rai acknowledged that the decision was influenced by Gautam's comments. He stated, "Yes, the decision has been taken on that basis. All spokespersons, national and state, stand removed from their posts at the moment till further orders." However, Rai refrained from commenting on whether Chaudhary was personally displeased with Gautam's statements, suggesting that only Chaudhary could address that aspect.
The controversy centers on Amit Shah's remarks during a recent parliamentary session, which were perceived by some as diminishing Ambedkar's contributions. Shah later clarified, stating, "My statements were misrepresented. Congress spreads fake news. I can never speak against Ambedkar ji."
Gautam's criticism extended beyond Shah's comments, highlighting broader concerns about the treatment of Dalits and women in the country. He referenced incidents of harassment and violence, particularly within religious spaces, and questioned the lack of governmental action. Gautam remarked, "Harassment is happening inside temples, and people are being beaten up even for entering the temples…rapes are happening in temples, but no action is being taken in those cases."
Within the RLD, reactions to Gautam's statements have been mixed. A senior party leader described his remarks as irresponsible, noting that they placed the party in a challenging position, especially given its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The leader commented, "The remark made by Gautam is completely irresponsible. The RLD leadership doesn’t support the stand."
Gautam, however, remains steadfast in his position. He emphasized his lifelong reverence for Ambedkar and his commitment to upholding Ambedkarite ideology. Gautam stated, "The party’s action is a separate issue…the party has to adhere to rules and regulations after entering an alliance. Some people from our community are upset with this statement (of Shah). At the political level, changes keep happening. We had no directions from the party (to make such a statement) but I spoke (about it) as it is my birth right and will keep ideology above everything else. I will keep Babasaheb’s legacy alive."
He further clarified that his allegiance to the RLD is rooted in the ideology of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, known for advocating for the marginalized. Gautam expressed his intention to remain with the party, stating, "When I joined the party, it was not for sharing power. (Jayant) Chaudhary sahab joined the NDA later. I will continue to be in the party because I believe in Chaudhary Charan Singh ji’s ideology."
The RLD's decision to remove all spokespersons is seen by some insiders as a strategic move to manage internal dissent without singling out Gautam, which could potentially alienate Dalit supporters. A senior party leader noted, "Removing Gautam, a Dalit, from the post may have sent a wrong message amongst the SC community. It was decided to change the entire battery of spokespersons." In total, nine state and six national spokespersons were relieved of their duties.