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"Is it matter of joke for the BJP?": Congress Slams BJP for Mocking Ambedkar Protest with Altered Image of Soros
Congress on Thursday launched a scathing attack on BJP for mocking the INDIA bloc’s protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The row intensified after the BJP posted an image on social media, showing the Opposition MPs holding a photograph of US billionaire George Soros, instead of Ambedkar, during their protest in Parliament. The BJP captioned the post: “Hello, Congress and INDI alliance. We fixed the image for you. You’re welcome.”
The protest, which took place on Wednesday, saw INDIA bloc MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sanjay Singh, carrying images of Dr. Ambedkar to condemn Amit Shah’s remarks.
Congress MP KC Venugopal took a swipe at BJP, expressing outrage at the party’s disrespect for Dr. Ambedkar. "Is standing up for Dr. Ambedkar against the insult to him a matter of joke for the BJP?" questioned the Congress MP. He further accused the BJP of "brazenly insulting" Ambedkar and undermining his legacy for political gains.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also weighed in, condemning the BJP’s actions. "They do not have basic respect for the person who is regarded as the Constitution maker," said the Wayanad MP. She pointed out the tampering of Ambedkar’s image by the BJP, adding, "This is a mindset that vandalizes the statue of Babasaheb. Who will trust them?"
The controversy began when Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a controversial remark about Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha. During a speech on the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution, Shah accused the Congress of using Ambedkar's name "as a fashion." "It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar... If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven," said Shah.
The Home Minister's comment sparked widespread outrage among opposition parties. The Congress demanded that Amit Shah resign for his remarks, with Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, stating, "If Prime Minister Modi had any respect left for Ambedkar, he should remove Amit Shah from his position."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, defended Shah, accusing Congress of using "dirty tricks" to diminish Ambedkar's legacy and insult the SC/ST communities.
In response to the calls for his resignation, Shah dismissed them, claiming that Congress would remain in opposition for the next 15 years regardless of his position. He also denied insulting Ambedkar, stating that his words were being distorted to create a false narrative. "Since yesterday, Congress has been presenting the facts in a distorted way and I condemn it," said Shah.
