The BJP has launched fresh accusations against the Congress party, claiming it has historically disrespected Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and is now engaging in hypocritical theatrics surrounding his legacy. This latest round of political controversy erupted during confrontations near Parliament on December 21, where tensions flared between MPs from both parties following remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP chief V.D. Sharma spearheaded the charge, asserting the Congress's attempts to mislead the public and incite unrest over purported insults directed toward Ambedkar.
Sharma dismissed allegations made by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who suggested the December incident was part of a deliberate conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP. Calling Singh's claim “unfortunate” and “false,” Sharma contended the Congress party was instead engaging in “politics of division.” He explicitly demanded accountability from Congress about their treatment of Ambedkar, questioning, “Who has humiliated Ambedkar?” and recalling the late leader's historical resignation from Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet.
Amidst these exchanges, former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Congress of running what he termed a smear campaign against Amit Shah over alleged insults to Ambedkar. “Instead of engaging in ‘drama’, the Congress should apologize for always insulting and humiliatIng Ambedkar,” Prasad declared during his press conference at the BJP headquarters. He criticized the Congress for employing selective interpretations of Shah’s recent speeches, calling attention to their attempts to usurp Ambedkar's legacy just for political leverage.
Prasad’s statements were laced with historical references, as he highlighted Congress's hypocritical behavior concerning Ambedkar. He noted, “I have been wondering whether there is any other parallel in the world to the condition of Scheduled Castes in India. I cannot find any.” He went on to demand unqualified apologies from the Congress leadership for their perceived historical neglect of Ambedkar's contributions. “The Congress party’s past actions completely contradict their current stance,” he added.
The BJP also contends the Congress party resorts to populist tactics whenever faced with political adversity. Keshav Prasad Maurya, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, criticized Congress for exploiting Ambedkar's legacy for electoral gains, labeling their protests as opportunistic. “Congress is creating public frenzy to gain political advantage after electoral losses,” Maurya said, reinforcing the perception of Congress's exploitation of Ambedkar’s impact to bolster their standing among voters.
Response to these accusations has varied. Congress leaders are firming up their stance against Shah's comments, featuring press conferences around India and mobilizing support through “Ambedkar samman” marches to demand accountability. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi remarked, “It has become a fashion for the BJP to blame Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Congress leaders of the past whenever they lack answers to pressing issues of today's India.” This sentiment highlights the complex interplay between political narratives and historical perspectives, as both parties vie to define the legacy of one of India’s most pivotal figures.
The clashes resulting from the protests near Parliament on December 21 exemplify the turbulent nature of current Indian politics, particularly surrounding sensitive historical figures. With both BJP and Congress raising the stakes, the narrative surrounding Ambedkar’s legacy is likely to stay central to their respective campaigns.
While BJP leaders set their strategy on exposing alleged historical failings of the Congress, they also plan to punctuate their assertions with promises of respect toward all those who contributed to the nation irrespective of their political affiliations. This positions the BJP amid historical narratives and portrays them as champions of respect for Ambedkar's principles, contrasting sharply with Congress’s historical actions, which they claim have marginalized Ambedkar’s standing.
With tensions continuing to escalate as both parties prepare for the upcoming electoral challenges, the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar will likely serve as both a battleground and a rallying point. Whether these political strategies will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen, but one fact stands clear: the discourse surrounding Ambedkar's impact on Indian society is far from settled and will remain influential as political maneuvering continues.
