Pune: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing ‘Samvidhan Day’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress party always humiliated Father of the Indian Constitution Dr B.R. Ambedkar during his lifetime and even after his death.


“The Constitution gives equal rights to everybody. However, the Congress party didn't spare a single moment to humiliate Ambedkarji when he was alive and even after his death,” he said.


The Home Minister said Ambedkar was conferred with the country’s highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ (posthumously) by a non-Congress government.


“Five places related to Ambedkarji were converted into ‘smriti sthal’ only after the BJP came to power at the Centre and in various states,” he said.


Shah, who unveiled a statue of Ambedkar after his visit to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) headquarters where he also laid the foundation stone for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue, taking a jibe at the grand old party alleged that Constitution Day had not been celebrated earlier out of fear that (the legacy of) Ambedkar would reach more people.


“When Narendra Modiji became the Prime Minister, the celebration of ‘Samvidhan Divas’ began. But whenever Modiji celebrates the ‘Samvidhan Divas’, Congress opposes,” said Shah.


“And now the same Congress party is talking about Babasaheb Ambedkar. I just want to say that BJP wants to bring forward Ambedkarji's contribution to the Constitution and good governance for independent India despite opposition from Congress, without any fear,” he added.


Asserting the Central government wants to acknowledge Ambedkar’s efforts, Shah said Prime Minister Modi is leading India by following the Constitution as his ‘granth’ (book).


Listing various development works set in motion by Prime Minister Modi, Shah said the former granted permission to expand the capacity of the Pune airport.


“He also laid the foundation stone for the Pune Metro which will be inaugurated soon. The Centre has launched the Mumbai-Pune vista dome (coach) which has become an attraction for tourists now,” he added, PTI reported.


The Home Minister further said the work for Rs 110 crore Mula-Mutha river project in Pune is going on.


“The PM also supported startups in Pune. The city has given many startups that are helping improve India's image,” he added.