Ahead Of Delhi Polls, Kejriwal Targets BJP Over 'Insult To Ambedkar' In Lok Sabha

Delhi Assembly Election: Amid the campaigning for the 2025 Delhi elections, Ambedkar's name has become a political pivot. All

Arvind Kejriwal with Delhi CM Atishi, Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others after a meeting with the ECI last week when it was discussing a complaint against the BJP.

Source : PTI

The architect of the Constitution of India, B R Ambedkar, is seemingly becoming a poll plank ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections. While the Congress successfully raked up the issue of the protection of the Constitution before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP is now planning to launch a mass campaign against the BJP over Amit Shah's "fashion" remarks during a discussion on constitutional amendment.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday mounted a full-frontal attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his comments on BR Ambedkar. He alleged that Amit Shah had insulted Ambedkar with his comments in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Kejriwal said: "The way Amit Shah insulted Ambedkar has hurt the sentiments of crores of people. I am personally hurt. There are crores of people like me whose ideal is Ambedkar ji. The way Amit Shah spoke in the House yesterday, it seems that this was a well-thought-out strategy of the BJP."

What Did Amit Shah Say About Ambedkar?

Amit Shah, during the discussion on the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill on Tuesday had said: "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 mention Ambedkar all the time. If they took God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven]."

“These days a new fashion is going on..Ambedkar..Ambedkar…Ambedkar,

If they had taken God’s name this much, they would have reached heaven for the next 7 births.”

Probably the biggest insult of Ambedkar Ji has been done by Amit Shah. pic.twitter.com/13UYoP9crl

— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) December 17, 2024

Kejriwal further said: "Their allies will have to see and understand whether they are with the BJP or with Babasaheb Ambedkar. Strict action should be taken against Amit Shah. We shall take this across the country. We shall take this to every house in the Delhi elections as well."

VIDEO | Here's what AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) said while leading party's protest outside BJP headquarters in New Delhi over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar.

"BJP's top leadership has made it clear that they are against BR… pic.twitter.com/qRLBMIsGP4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2024

AAP Workers Clash With Police

On Wednesday evening AAP workers clashed with the Delhi Police while marching to the BJP headquarters to stage a protest. The police stopped the protesters on the way, resulting in a scuffle. 

The Delhi Police put in place three layers of security to stop AAP's protest march. Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Saurabh Bharadwaj were among the top AAP leaders who took part in the protest. The AAP workers and leaders plan to gherao (surround) the BJP headquarters. Chief Minister Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chaddha, Sandeep Pathak, and many other MLAs and Delhi ministers were also present.

VIDEO | AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal), Delhi CM Atishi (@AtishiAAP), party leader Manish Sisodia, and others join AAP's protest outside BJP HQ over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha.

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/2PrEDMbYXn

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2024

The police said the AAP did not have permission for the protest.

Meanwhile, the Congress also attacked Amit Shah over his remark and sought his resignation.

We demand Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation.

बाबासाहेब डॉ आंबेडकर जी का अपमान,
नहीं सहेगा हिन्दुस्तान ! pic.twitter.com/jqiNajLOrc

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 18, 2024