Agartala: Dec 19:
The Tripura Pradesh Congress staged a massive protest and burned an effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in capital Agartala on Thursday evening, demanding his resignation and an apology for his remarks on BR Ambedkar, which they claimed insulted the architect of the Indian Constitution.
The protest was part of Congress’ nationwide agitation against Shah’s remarks made in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Led by Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, the protesters carried placards and posters of BR Ambedkar while marching through the streets of the state capital, raising slogans against the Union Home Minister.
Speaking to reporters, Sudip Roy Barman, also a former Minister accused Amit Shah of disrespecting Ambedkar and the values enshrined in the Constitution. “In his Rajya Sabha speech, Amit Shah insulted BR Ambedkar and the millions of Indians who hold faith in the Constitution. We demand he retract his statement and issue a public apology,” said Roy Barman.
He further criticized the BJP, saying, “Ambedkar is not a fashion for Congress; he is our inspiration and motivation. The BJP’s motivation might be Adani, but Congress will always stand for the principles of Ambedkar.” Roy Barman also alleged that Shah’s remarks revealed the BJP’s “anti-Constitution” stance and their underlying hatred towards Ambedkar.
Echoing similar sentiments, Asish Kumar Saha stated that protests are ongoing both in Parliament and across the country against Shah’s remarks and the BJP’s alleged “unconstitutional agenda.”
He accused the BJP of conspiring to replace the Indian Constitution with Manusmriti. “Amit Shah must resign and apologize to the people of India for his shameful comments,” Saha demanded.
The controversy erupted following Amit Shah’s remarks in Parliament where he said, “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to keep repeating Ambedkar’s name. If they took God’s name this many times, they would have secured a place in heaven for seven lifetimes).”
Shah had further added that while the BJP welcomed Congress taking Ambedkar’s name, the party must reflect on its “real sentiments” towards him.
The Tripura Congress, along with its central leadership, has intensified its demand for Shah’s resignation, accusing the BJP of undermining Ambedkar’s legacy and disrespecting the Constitution and also the Dalits alongwith the people of India.
