Amit Shah Ambedkar Remark: A political storm has erupted in the wake of Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remark on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, sparking uproar in Parliament and fierce reactions from opposition leaders. As Congress seizes the moment to push its Dalit-centric narrative, BJP is scrambling to mitigate potential damage. This controversy has the potential to alter political equations as parties gear up for upcoming elections. Let’s dive into the details.
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What Did Amit Shah Say About Ambedkar?
On December 17, during a session in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement that triggered nationwide outrage. Referring to the repeated invocation of Ambedkar’s name, Shah remarked:
“It has become a fashion now—Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If you take so many names of God, you would have attained heaven for seven lives.”
While Shah contextualized his statement by criticizing Congress for forcing Ambedkar to resign from the cabinet, the opposition interpreted it as a slight against the Dalit icon. Congress quickly pounced on the statement, terming it “anti-Ambedkar” and demanding Shah’s resignation.
Timeline of the Controversy
- December 17, 10:35 PM: Rahul Gandhi shares Shah’s clip on X (formerly Twitter), accusing BJP of disrespecting Ambedkar.
- December 18, 11:40 AM: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demands Shah’s resignation and an apology.
- December 18, 4:30 PM: PM Modi defends Shah, attacking Congress for allegedly sidelining Ambedkar historically.
- December 19, 11:15 AM: A scuffle erupts between BJP and opposition MPs in Parliament, escalating tensions further.
- December 19, 6:30 PM: BJP files a complaint against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of inciting violence in the scuffle.
Why Is Shah’s Comment a Big Deal?
1. Dalit Vote Bank Dynamics
With 20 crore Dalits constituting 16.6% of India’s population (2011 census), they are a pivotal vote bank. Dalits view Ambedkar as a symbol of empowerment and justice. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP lost significant ground in Dalit-dominated constituencies, winning only 57 of 156 such seats compared to 91 in 2019. Congress, on the other hand, gained 93 seats, signaling a shift in Dalit support. This controversy could either cement Congress’ position or push Dalit voters back towards BJP, depending on how the narrative unfolds.
| Year | Congress+ | BJP+ | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 93 | 57 | 6 |
| 2019 | 53 | 91 | 12 |
2. Ambedkar as a Political Icon
Ambedkar’s legacy transcends caste lines. As the architect of India’s Constitution and a champion of social justice, any perceived insult to his name carries the risk of alienating voters across the board. Political parties are acutely aware of this, which is why both Congress and BJP are vying to claim his legacy.
BJP’s Damage Control Efforts
BJP, recognizing the potential fallout, launched an aggressive damage control campaign. PM Modi accused Congress of hypocrisy, highlighting historical instances where Congress allegedly marginalized Ambedkar. BJP leaders and workers circulated Shah’s full statement to counter the narrative that he disrespected the Dalit icon.
In a press conference, Shah dismissed calls for his resignation, remarking sarcastically:
“Kharge ji is asking for my resignation. Even if I give it, it won’t help him. He has to stay in opposition for the next 15 years.”
Congress’ Strategy to Capitalize
Congress has strategically placed Mallikarjun Kharge, a prominent Dalit leader, at the forefront of this controversy. By framing Shah’s remark as an attack on Ambedkar, Congress aims to reinforce its commitment to social justice while portraying BJP as anti-Dalit. The party has also submitted a breach of privilege notice against Shah, ensuring the issue remains alive in public discourse.
Electoral Implications
The controversy comes at a time when Dalit politics in India is undergoing a transformation. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once a dominant force among Dalit voters, has seen a sharp decline. This vacuum has left Dalit votes up for grabs, with Congress and BJP emerging as the main contenders. Here’s how Dalit-dominated constituencies voted in the last two Lok Sabha elections:
| Year | Congress+ | BJP+ | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 28% | 41% | 31% |
| 2024 | 46% | 35% | 19% |
The BJP, which suffered a 6% decline in Dalit votes in 2024 compared to 2019, cannot afford further losses in this demographic.
Will the Controversy Benefit Congress?
This controversy could help Congress regain its momentum after recent setbacks in state elections. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the formation of the INDIA alliance had bolstered Congress’ narrative ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won 99 seats—a significant improvement from previous performances. However, the party lost ground in subsequent assembly elections. By reigniting debates around Ambedkar and the Constitution, Congress seeks to rebuild its narrative and rally Dalit voters ahead of key state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi.
What Lies Ahead?
With December 20 marking the last day of the Parliament session, the controversy is unlikely to die down anytime soon. Congress plans to take this issue to the public, portraying itself as the defender of Ambedkar’s legacy. Meanwhile, BJP will continue its counteroffensive, emphasizing Congress’ historical failures concerning Dalit rights.
This issue is expected to dominate the political landscape, influencing voter sentiment in upcoming state elections and beyond. Whether it leads to tangible gains for Congress or backfires on BJP remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the battle for Ambedkar’s legacy has only just begun.
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