Thackeray Demands Apology from PM Modi Over Amit Shah's Remarks on Ambedkar
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Nagpur, Dec 18 (NationPress) Expressing deep indignation over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks concerning Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi either apologize for Shah’s comments or step down during a statement made on Wednesday.
Thackeray, who previously served as the Chief Minister of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), played recordings of Shah’s statements that have ignited significant political controversy in Maharashtra and beyond, particularly among the Dalit communities.
Shah suggested that instead of reciting ‘Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’, invoking God's name would lead to attaining heaven in seven births, a statement that has enraged Dalits and followers of Ambedkar.
Criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Thackeray asserted that Shah would “not have the courage to make such comments without encouragement from the BJP-RSS” and questioned whether Prime Minister Modi and Maharashtra’s Union Cabinet Ministers supported Shah's remarks.
“Maharashtra has given two eminent figures to the world, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr Ambedkar, who provided us with the Constitution. After years of criticizing ‘Nehru, Nehru’, they are now targeting Dr Ambedkar. We will not accept any form of disrespect towards them,” Thackeray expressed passionately.
He insisted that Modi and Shah must either apologize to the nation or resign for the offense against Ambedkar, which has disturbed the marginalized and impoverished communities, warning that the BJP would not receive forgiveness for this transgression.
In response to Shah’s comments, SS (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare stated that Ambedkar is indeed a revered figure for millions who honor him daily for his contributions to the underprivileged, the marginalized, and the poorest segments of society.
Other MVA leaders, including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) General Secretary Dr Jitendra Awhad, Congress state President Nana F. Patole, and SS (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut, along with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi President Prakash Ambedkar, also criticized the BJP and Shah for demonstrating their “total disregard for Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution.”
Thackeray argued that the BJP, which won a decisive majority in the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, has consistently belittled icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Savitribai Phule.
“A former governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, made inappropriate remarks about the legendary Phule duo... The statue of Chhatrapati (in Sindhudurg) collapsed merely eight months after being inaugurated by the PM... And now we have Shah’s statements in Parliament,” Thackeray remarked.
Thackeray pointedly challenged Shah, asking, “Will you attain Heaven by chanting ‘Modi, Modi’ every day?” He added that the BJP's treatment of esteemed and cherished figures has 'exceeded all acceptable limits' over recent years.
