Thursday witnessed a dramatic face-off in Parliament as the BJP and the INDIA bloc engaged in fiery protests over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar. The heated confrontation saw MPs from both sides brandishing placards with Ambedkar’s image, accusing each other of disrespecting the revered leader.
While the BJP alleged that Congress manipulated Amit Shah’s remarks to mislead the public, Congress demanded Shah’s resignation, accusing him of insulting Ambedkar. Adding to the chaos, a BJP MP sustained injuries, which the party blamed on Rahul Gandhi, a claim the Congress leader vehemently denied.
BJP, INDIA Bloc Face Off
In an unprecedented move, leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, escalated their protest by scaling Makar Dwar, the main gate of Parliament. Dressed in blue—a color symbolizing Dalit movements—they waved placards demanding an apology and Shah’s resignation.
Simultaneously, BJP MPs counter-protested, accusing Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar. With banners reading, “Ambedkar showed us the path, Congress misled,” and slogans like “Insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar will not be tolerated,” the BJP sought to refute Congress’s claims.
Injuries and Accusations
The protests took a physical turn when BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi sustained injuries during the scuffle. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing another MP, who then collided with Sarangi, causing him to fall and injure his face. Sarangi recounted, “Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on me, after which I fell down.” He was subsequently hospitalized.
Rahul Gandhi, however, dismissed these allegations, asserting that BJP MPs obstructed him at the Parliament gate and pushed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Gandhi said, “I was trying to go inside through the Parliament entrance. BJP MPs were trying to stop me, push me, and threaten me. Yes, this has happened (Mallikarjun Kharge being pushed).”
The Root of the Controversy
The row erupted when Congress shared a video of Amit Shah’s speech, accusing him of disrespecting Ambedkar. Shah allegedly remarked, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have secured a place in heaven across all seven lives.”
Congress claimed this statement insulted Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution. However, the BJP dismissed the allegations, accusing Congress of sharing a manipulated video. The BJP also pointed to Congress’s history of amending the Constitution for political gains, claiming it disrespected Ambedkar’s legacy.
Legal Action Looms
Amid the escalating tensions, the BJP warned Congress of potential legal action over the alleged manipulation of Shah’s speech. The party also reiterated its commitment to upholding Ambedkar’s principles, contrasting them with what it described as Congress’s history of opportunism.
A Clash of Legacies
The Parliament protests have reignited debates over Ambedkar’s legacy and its appropriation in political discourse. As accusations and counter-accusations fly, both parties are attempting to position themselves as the true custodians of Ambedkar’s ideals.
The dramatic events in Parliament highlight the intensifying political rivalry between the BJP and the INDIA bloc. As both sides clash over Ambedkar’s legacy, the question remains: who truly upholds his principles, and who exploits them for political gain?
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