New Delhi, December 18: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of being "anti-BR Ambedkar, anti-reservation, and anti-Constitution." Speaking at a press conference, Shah alleged that the Congress has distorted facts about his recent remarks in the Rajya Sabha.
Addressing the media, Shah highlighted Congress’ historical actions, including the imposition of the Emergency, as examples of what he termed the party’s disregard for constitutional principles. "Congress has been presenting facts in a distorted way, and I condemn this. The Congress opposed Baba Saheb Ambedkar, insulted Veer Savarkar, and violated all constitutional values by imposing Emergency," Shah said.
The remarks come in the wake of a political uproar following Shah's comments on Ambedkar during a Rajya Sabha discussion marking 75 years of the Constitution's adoption. Shah claimed that the Congress governments failed to recognize Ambedkar's contributions during his lifetime and even after his death.
"When it comes to conferring the Bharat Ratna, Congress leaders often awarded it to themselves. Nehru awarded it to himself in 1955, and Indira Gandhi did the same in 1971. However, Baba Saheb Ambedkar received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990, when a BJP-supported government was in power," Shah stated.
He accused the Congress of opposing Ambedkar’s ideals, citing Nehru's purported animosity toward the leader. "The Congress’ treatment of Ambedkar after his death shows their true mindset," Shah added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also defended Shah’s remarks, saying the Congress is now "stung and stunned" by the facts presented in Parliament. Modi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), accused Congress of failing to uplift Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) during their tenure.
"In Parliament, Amit Shah Ji exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and neglecting SC/ST communities. Congress can try as much as they want, but people know the truth," Modi wrote.
He further pointed to instances of violence and discrimination against SC/ST communities during Congress regimes. "Congress sat in power for decades but failed to empower these communities meaningfully," Modi added.
The remarks have fueled a fierce political battle, with the Congress demanding Shah’s resignation and accusing the BJP of twisting history for political gain.
