"Amit Shah has gone mad, should resign": Lalu Yadav slams Minister over anti-Ambedkar remarks

A political controversy erupted following remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024, during a discussion marking 75 years of the Indian Constitution. Shah, in his address, commented on the frequent invocation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s name by Congress and opposition leaders. He said, “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar... Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata.” (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar’s name repeatedly, and if they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have gained a place in heaven). This statement was seen by many as a belittling of Ambedkar’s legacy and sparked intense political reactions.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav strongly condemned Shah’s remarks, calling them an attack on Ambedkar’s contributions to India’s Constitution. Lalu stated, “Amit Shah has gone mad. He has a hatred for Babasaheb Ambedkar. We condemn this madness of his.” He further called for Shah to renounce politics, asserting that the Union Minister's remarks were disrespectful and harmful to the constitutional values upheld by Ambedkar. Lalu reiterated the significance of Ambedkar, calling him "great" and emphasizing the importance of respecting his legacy.

Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the RJD, also condemned Shah’s comments. He described Ambedkar as an enduring source of inspiration, declaring that he was "fashion, passion, motivation, and inspiration" for many. Tejashwi accused the BJP of repeatedly insulting national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Karpuri Thakur, and Jawaharlal Nehru. He demanded an apology from Shah for his remarks and criticized the BJP for undermining the legacy of India's foundational leaders.

The opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Left, and others, expressed outrage at Shah’s comments. The opposition parties united to call the remarks offensive and an insult to the Constitution and Ambedkar's pivotal role in its creation. The attack led to disruptions in Parliament, with opposition members protesting and demanding Shah’s apology. The protests resulted in adjournments in both Houses of Parliament. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had any respect for Ambedkar, he should sack Amit Shah from his position.

In response, the BJP defended Shah’s remarks, claiming that they were distorted by the opposition to create a false narrative. BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserted that Shah's comments were misinterpreted and did not aim to insult Ambedkar. Modi criticized the Congress, accusing it of undermining Ambedkar’s legacy and spreading hatred towards the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities. He stated that the opposition was intentionally distorting Shah’s statement to further its political agenda. The controversy remains unresolved, with calls from the opposition for Shah to clarify his statement or issue an apology.