New Delhi, Dec 18: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the defense of Amit Shah’s comments regarding Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that Shah revealed Congress’ troubling history of disrespecting Ambedkar, leaving them visibly shaken by the facts he shared.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi remarked that while Congress held power for many years, they did little to uplift the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
“In Parliament, Amit Shah Ji laid bare Congress’ dark past of belittling Dr. Ambedkar and neglecting the SC/ST communities. Their reaction shows they are clearly taken aback by the truths he unveiled, which is why they are resorting to theatrics! Unfortunately for them, the public is aware of the reality! Congress may try to deflect, but they cannot escape the truth that the most severe atrocities against SC/ST communities occurred under their governance. They spent years in power yet failed to make any meaningful contributions to empower these communities,” PM Modi stated.
The Prime Minister enumerated the “sins” of Congress concerning Babasaheb Ambedkar.
“The list of Congress’ offenses towards Dr. Ambedkar includes defeating him in elections not once, but twice, with Pandit Nehru campaigning against him and turning his defeat into a matter of pride. They also denied him the Bharat Ratna and refused to provide his portrait a place of honor in Parliament’s Central Hall,” he stated.
PM Modi further pointed out that the public has witnessed how one political party has consistently employed “dirty tactics” to erase Ambedkar’s legacy.
“If Congress and its corrupt ecosystem believe that their lies can cover up their long history of misdeeds, particularly their disrespect towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are sorely mistaken! Time and again, the people of India have seen how one party, controlled by a single dynasty, has resorted to any means necessary to dismantle Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy and demean the SC/ST communities,” the Prime Minister stated.
Additionally, PM Modi highlighted the efforts made by his administration to honor the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar.
“Our government has worked to develop Panchteerth, the five significant sites related to Dr. Ambedkar. For decades, the issue of land for Chaitya Bhoomi was unresolved. Not only did our government rectify this issue, but I have also visited to pray there. We have also developed 26, Alipur Road in Delhi, where Dr. Ambedkar spent his final years. The government has even acquired his residence in London,” he said.
“Our respect and reverence for Dr. Ambedkar are absolute. It is because of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that we have achieved what we are today,” PM Modi added.
He affirmed that his administration has diligently worked to realize Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision over the past decade.
“In every sector—from lifting 25 crore people out of poverty to strengthening the SC/ST Act, our flagship programs such as Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Ujjwala Yojana—all have significantly impacted the lives of the poor and marginalized,” he asserted.
Earlier, opposition members, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, protested within the Parliament premises against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks regarding Babasaheb Ambedkar during the Constitution debate. This protest followed Amit Shah’s critique of the Congress party, suggesting that it had turned the mention of Ambedkar into a ‘fashion’.
“Had they invoked the name of God as often as they have mentioned Ambedkar, they would have been granted heaven for seven lifetimes,” Shah remarked. (Agencies)
