PM Modi in a thread of posts on X (formerly Twitter) said Congress was "clearly stung and stunned" by the "facts" presented by Shah, which is why they are now "indulging in theatrics". When it comes to Ambedkar, his government's respect and reverence are absolute, the prime minister asserted.
"If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken! The people of India have seen time and again how one Party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and humiliate the SC/ST communities," Modi said.
His remarks come a day after massive ruckus ensued in both Lower and Upper Houses against Shah's controversial remarks on Ambedkar in his speech in the Rajya Sabha during his reply to the debate on the Constitution.
"Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (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 for eternity,” Shah said, taking a dig at the Opposition.
The remarks triggered a wave of reactions from the opposition with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge seeking Amit Shah's resignation and apology.
Defending Shah, PM Modi said the list of the "Congress' sins" towards Ambedkar includes: "Getting him defeated in elections not once but twice. Pandit Nehru campaigning against him and making his loss a prestige issue. Denying him a Bharat Ratna. Denying his portrait a place of pride in Parliament’s Central Hall."
Congress, the Prime Minister said, can try as they want but they cannot deny that "the worst massacres against SC/ST Communities have happened under their regimes". "For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities," he said.
Modi said Shah exposed the Congress’ "dark history of insulting Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities". "They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth!" he said on X.
He said his government has worked tirelessly to fulfil Ambedkar's vision over the last decade.
"Take any sector - be it removing 25 crore people from poverty, strengthening the SC/ST Act, our Government’s flagship programmes like Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana and more, each of them has touched the lives of the poor and marginalised. Our Government has worked to develop Panchteerth, the five iconic places associated with Dr. Ambedkar," he added.
For decades, Modi said, there was a pending issue involving land for "Chaitya Bhoomi", where Ambedkar was cremated. "Not only did our Government resolve the issue, I have gone to pray there as well," he added.
"We have also developed 26, Alipur Road in Delhi, where Dr. Ambedkar spent his last years. The house where he lived in London has also been acquired by the Government. When it comes to Dr. Ambedkar, our respect and reverence is absolute," he said.
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