Srinagar, Dec 18: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Congress party has repeatedly insulted the Constitution and failed Jammu and Kashmir by undermining Ambedkar’s vision for justice and equality.
Addressing the press conference in New Delhi, Shah said that actions of Congress in J&Kr reflect its lack of commitment to Ambedkar’s ideals and its failure to uphold the values of democracy.
He added that the Congress systematically worked against Ambedkar’s principles, even opposing the development of the Panch Teerth, which honors key locations associated with Ambedkar’s life.
Shah said that Congress’s disregard for J&K’s interests was evident in its opposition to Article 370 reforms, which Ambedkar himself would have supported to ensure equality for all. BJP governments, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have worked to correct these historical injustices by promoting Ambedkar’s vision in J&K, he said.
Shah said that the Congress party’s historical opposition to Ambedkar extended to personal and political fronts. “The Congress ensured Ambedkar’s defeat in the 1951 and 1954 elections and never celebrated his contributions while in power.”
He added that BJP governments, in contrast, institutionalized initiatives like Constitution Day to honour Ambedkar’s legacy.
Shah said Congress delayed granting Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar and neglected the communities he worked to uplift. “The Congress government only remembered Ambedkar when it was politically convenient, ignoring his centenary and his birthplace’s commemoration for decades.
BJP’s development of the Panch Teerth—including locations in London, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Madhya Pradesh—demonstrates its commitment to Ambedkar’s legacy, Shah said adding “We have ensured that the values Ambedkar stood for are institutionalized and celebrated, unlike Congress, which dismissed his contributions.”
He said Congress’s opposition to reservation policies highlighted its hypocrisy. “In 1955, Congress ignored the Kalelkar Commission’s report, and in 1980, it shelved the Mandal Commission recommendations until forced by a non-Congress government,” he added.
He also said that the Congress party disrespected Ambedkar even after his death, with its leaders downplaying his resignation from Nehru’s cabinet. Jawaharlal Nehru himself remarked that Ambedkar’s resignation would have no impact, showing the Congress’s attitude towards him.
Shah further said that BJP governments have consistently followed Ambedkar’s principles of justice for Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized groups. “Our party cannot even dream of disrespecting Ambedkar. The Congress, on the other hand, has tried to twist history and spread lies,” he said.
He said Congress edited and misrepresented his statements during the Constitution’s 75th-anniversary celebrations to mislead the public. “I request the media to present my full statement so the truth reaches the people,” he added.
Shah said that BJP’s commitment to Ambedkar’s vision is unwavering and will continue to guide its policies in J&K and across the country. “The BJP stands firm in preserving Ambedkar’s legacy and promoting constitutional values that ensure justice and equality for all,” he concluded.
