Kharge Demands Amit Shah Apologize by Midnight or Step Down from Cabinet Over Ambedkar Controversy
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New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Congress party has launched a vigorous assault on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, insisting on his apology for the 'disparaging' remarks made about B. R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.
During a press briefing, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized both Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of disrespecting and attacking B. R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Kharge stated, "Amit Shah must issue an apology by midnight for his disrespect towards Ambedkar, or he should resign from his position in the Cabinet," he demanded.
He expressed his discontent regarding the 'shielding' of Amit Shah by Prime Minister Modi and questioned why the Prime Minister had posted a series of tweets defending the Home Minister.
"Instead of reprimanding the Union Home Minister for his 'objectionable' and 'unpleasant' statements about the Dalit icon, PM Modi chose to back him up with a series of tweets," he remarked.
Kharge's press conference followed Amit Shah's statements during the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha, where he claimed it has become a trend to invoke 'Ambedkar, Ambekar' to advance political agendas.
The Congress party has been aggressively campaigning against the Home Minister since the morning, accusing him of casting aspersions on the Dalit figure. Earlier in the day, Congress activists also surrounded Amit Shah's residence and held a protest.
Kharge urged PM Modi to dismiss Amit Shah from his role as Home Minister.
"A person who takes an oath of office and then disrespects the sacred text has no right to remain in the Cabinet. He should be removed immediately," Kharge asserted, adding that failure to act on this would expose the hollowness of their statements.
The controversy surrounding Ambedkar has emerged as a significant political issue, with the opposition aiming to capitalize on it while the BJP seeks to mitigate the situation.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also led a protest over the alleged insult to Ambedkar within Parliament, stating that PM Modi's support for the Union Home Minister indicates a 'premeditated conspiracy' by the BJP to undermine Ambedkar's legacy.
