Amit Shah’s Andhra Visit Sparks Row, APCC Chief YS Sharmila Reddy Calls For Apology Over Ambedkar Remarks

Accusing Amit Shah of disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar during a recent Rajya Sabha session, Sharmila Reddy announced plans for statewide protests at Ambedkar statues to condemn his remarks.

Reddy further criticised the BJP’s allies in Andhra Pradesh, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP), for failing to condemn Shah’s remarks.

Source : X

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Andhra Pradesh on Saturday has ignited political tensions with Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Chief YS Sharmila Reddy vehemently opposing his presence in the state. Accusing Shah of disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar during a recent Rajya Sabha session, Reddy announced plans for statewide protests at Ambedkar statues to condemn his remarks.

“Amit Shah, who insulted Ambedkar garu, has no right to set foot in Andhra Pradesh,” Reddy stated. 

She said: “The Congress party strongly opposes his visit and demands a public apology. On this occasion, we call on the party leadership to protest on a large scale at the statues of Ambedkar garu. Amit Shah should immediately apologize publicly to the people of the country. We demand his immediate resignation from the post of minister."

అంబేద్కర్ గారిని అవమానించిన @AmitShah అమిత్ షాకు ఆంధ్రలో అడుగుపెట్టే అర్హత లేదు. అమిత్ షా పర్యటనను రాష్ట్ర కాంగ్రెస్ పార్టీ తీవ్రంగా వ్యతిరేకిస్తుంది. ఈ సందర్భంగా అంబేద్కర్ గారి విగ్రహాల వద్ద పెద్ద ఎత్తున నిరసనలు వ్యక్తం చేయాలని పార్టీ నాయకత్వానికి పిలుపునిస్తున్నాం. దేశ ప్రజలకు…

— YS Sharmila (@realyssharmila) January 18, 2025

Reddy further criticised the BJP’s allies in Andhra Pradesh, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP), for failing to condemn Shah’s remarks.

Reddy said: "Insulting the framers of the Constitution is tantamount to treason. Amit Shah, who mocked Ambedkar in a full house, is a traitor. Those who show hospitality to the traitors without condemning their comments or asking them to apologize, are also traitors to this country. Parties that share the stage with them and parties that remain silent are the parties that are betraying the country."

The Congress leader also accused BJP allies of prioritising political gains over the dignity of the Constitution’s architect. 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit TDP chief and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday. He is also scheduled to attend a series of events in the state on Sunday.