Ambedkar Remarks: TMC moves privilege notice against Amit Shah, Cong demands resignation

New Delhi: Amid the furore over Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday moved a privilege notice against the Union Home Minister.

The privilege notice, moved by TMC’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien under Rule 187, said that Shah had undermined the legacy of Ambedkar, architect of India’s Constitution, and the dignity of the Parliament. O’Brien sought action against Shah, alleging that Shah’s comments were in violation of parliamentary decorum.

The Home Minister, during his speech on the debate over Constitution in Rajya Sabha, said it had become a “fashion” for Opposition parties to take Ambedkar’s name.

“Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, 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, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” Shah said on Tuesday.

Other Opposition parties continued to be vocal on the matter, with the Congress on Wednesday reiterating its demand for Shah’s resignation.

“Yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said something which is very condemnable. It is unfortunate that a Dalit, who should be worshiped, was insulted. I am forced to say that these people (BJP-led NDA government) don’t believe in the Constitution,” ANI quoted Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as saying.

Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defending Shah. “These people do not believe in the Constitution. They talk about Manusmriti… PM Modi made 6 tweets to defend Amit Shah. What was the need for this? If someone says wrong about BR Ambedkar, he should be removed from the cabinet. But they are friends and are supporting each other’s sins,” Kharge said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out against the Home Minister for insulting those who look up to the Dalit icon. Mamata said in a post on X that the senior BJP leader’s remarks show the party’s “anti-Dalit and casteist mindset.”