Amit Shah’s controversial statement on Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha has sparked national outrage within and outside political corridors. Over the years, it has become increasingly a fashion to denigrate religious deities, social and political reformers just to settle political scores without realising the damage done to socio-cultural and political fabric of the country.
Amit Shah, who holds constitutional post of Union Home Minister, created a controversy when he said in Rajya Sabha, “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven.”
The very statement has not only made a mockery of the vision of Ambedkar, who played an instrumental role in shaping the Constitution but has also insulted Dalits, People of India at large, Constitution and above all the conscience of the nation and truly the Idea of India.
Leaders from socio-religious organisations have strongly condemned his statement on Ambedkar. According to Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, “We find Union Home Minister’s remarks and gestures about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, disrespectful and in bad taste. Baba Saheb was a towering figure of India’s history and the principal architect of our Constitution and is revered by crores of Indians. Such statements reflect a troubling culture of denigrating respected personalities and spreading hate, which has become alarmingly prevalent in recent times.
“This disturbing trend of insulting is not limited to political opponents but targets revered religious figures, freedom fighters, and the founding fathers of our nation. It represents a continuation of a culture that seeks to belittle others and undermine the values of respect and dialogue, which are essential for a healthy political discourse. The increasing disrespect and hostility found in public debates, political interactions, and on social media platforms is a matter of concern. This atmosphere of insulting and disparaging others has started permeating into the lower cadres of political parties and the general public, leading to divisiveness and eroding the spirit of unity that is crucial for the nation’s well-being.”
JIH President further said, “Political leaders bear the responsibility to set an example of dignity and decorum, steering public conversation towards inclusivity and understanding rather than hatred and division. We appeal to citizens and civil society to reject such behaviour and work together to enable a climate of respect, harmony, and national unity, which is imperative for the health of our democracy and the progress of our nation.”
Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, opined, “Dr Ambedkar has been the voice of unity, equality and human rights and tried his best to abolish the caste system prevalent at that point of time which is also the basic teachings of Islam. He was a very important figure of India. He gave a fine constitution and it is because of it the country has remained united otherwise it would have disintegrated. His insult is the insult of the entire community, Constitution of India. The hate and venom that was there in their hearts have come out in the open as we condemned it in strongest possible words.”
John Dayal, noted social and human rights defender, said, “Their disdain for the Dalits, small peasantry and the indigenous tribal-adivasis people is historic. Even today, they cannot show a single national level leader of stature. It is no wonder they have resisted the demand for a caste census in the country. It is no wonder their first instinct is to abuse Babasaheb Ambedkar, who wrote the Constitution, and Nehru, who laid the foundations of a modern India.”
Mujibur Rehman, author of Shikwa-e-Hind: the Political Future of Indian Muslims, said, “I think the Honourable Home Minister should not make such a comment. People remember Ambedkar because his ideas and his work have greater relevance today. No one gets material benefit but finds courage to fight for justice and that is why people remember him. In India, there is still mammoth caste injustice. It is reflected in violence exclusion and inequality. So long as we have this injustice people will remember Ambedkar. I hope HonourableHome Minister corrects his view and recognises Ambedkar’s relevance.”