tmc-files-privilege-notice-against-shah-over-ambedkar-remark

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) launched a sharp attack on Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on B R Ambedkar, accusing him of undermining the legacy of the architect of the Indian Constitution.

 

The party also submitted a privilege notice against Shah through Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien.

 

The controversy erupted after Shah’s comments during his reply to a debate on 75 years of the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Shah had criticised the Congress for repeatedly invoking Ambedkar’s name.

 

“It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven,” Shah said, causing outrage.

 

Derek O'Brien, TMC's Parliamentary Party Leader in the Upper House, filed the privilege notice under Rule 187 of the Rajya Sabha's Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.

 

The notice alleges that Shah’s remarks demeaned Ambedkar’s legacy and the dignity of Parliament. Following the remarks, TMC MPs staged a walkout in protest.

 

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said, “The kind of statement that the home minister made on Ambedkar ji is an insult to the nation. Babasaheb has given us our Constitution, and the same Babasaheb was insulted by the home minister.” She also questioned the BJP’s stance, adding, “What would have this party done to Dalits and Tribal had they gotten 400 seats?”

 

The protests in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, led by the Congress and other opposition parties, led to the adjournment of both Houses. The TMC also accused the government of insulting Ambedkar.

 

"West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly condemned the statement. The Prime Minister is trying to cover up the sins of Home Minister Amit Shah. The Prime Minister should give up his ‘anti-Dalit’ mindset,” Dev said.

 

In his speech, Shah had also remarked that the BJP was happy with the Congress invoking Ambedkar’s name but questioned the Congress’s real feelings towards him, citing Ambedkar’s resignation from the first Cabinet due to disagreements with Congress policies.

 

“How appropriate is it for you to use the name of a person for vote bank politics whom you used to oppose?” Shah asked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.