‘People are beginning to feel that those who revere Babasaheb can no longer support the BJP,’ Arvind Kejriwal said in a letter to Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal Criticizes Amit Shah’s Remark on Ambedkar, Writes to Key BJP Allies
A day after staging a protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal intensified his criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Kejriwal, on Thursday, addressed letters to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, urging them to respond to the controversy. Both leaders, representing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) respectively, are crucial allies of the BJP.
https://x.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1869614155743088681
In his letter, Kejriwal wrote, “Babasaheb is not just a leader but the soul of our nation. After this statement by the BJP, people expect you to deeply reflect on this issue.” He referred to Amit Shah’s controversial statement in the Rajya Sabha, where the Home Minister allegedly remarked that “chanting Ambedkar-Ambedkar has become a fashion these days.”
The Opposition has been vocal in demanding Shah’s removal from the Cabinet, accusing him of disrespecting Ambedkar, who is revered as the architect of the Indian Constitution. Kejriwal’s letter emphasized the impact of Shah’s comment, stating that it had hurt the sentiments of millions across the country.
Prime Minister Modi Defends Amit Shah
While the Opposition intensified its criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Shah and accused the Congress and its “rotten ecosystem” of spreading “malicious lies.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal shared his letter and remarked, “BJP has insulted Babasaheb in Parliament. People feel that those who love Babasaheb cannot support BJP. You should also think about this.”
Ambedkar’s Contributions Highlighted
Kejriwal’s letter reiterated Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s unparalleled contributions to India’s democracy. He pointed out that Ambedkar was awarded a ‘Doctor of Laws’ degree by Columbia University, authored the Indian Constitution, and championed equal rights for marginalized communities. “How did the BJP have the audacity to make such a comment about him?” Kejriwal questioned.
He also criticized the BJP for justifying the remark instead of apologizing. “The Prime Minister’s public support for Amit Shah Ji’s remark has added insult to injury,” he wrote, underscoring the widespread hurt caused by the statement.
Opposition’s Demands and Political Implications
The controversy has sparked significant political discourse, with the Opposition rallying around the issue to demand accountability. Kejriwal’s outreach to key BJP allies, Naidu and Kumar, underscores the growing unease among parties over the BJP’s stance. The AAP chief’s move is seen as an attempt to build a broader coalition against the BJP’s alleged disrespect toward Ambedkar’s legacy.
This development has added another dimension to the ongoing political debate, with potential ramifications for alliances ahead of the upcoming elections.