NEW DELHI: AAP supremo and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday wrote to key allies of the Bhartiya Janata Party, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, questioning their stance on home minister Amit Shah‘s recent remarks about architect of Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar.
In his letter, Kejriwal voiced his concern over Shah’s statement in Parliament over Ambedkar. “Recently in Parliament, a statement made by the home minister of the country, Amit Shah Ji, regarding Babasaheb has left the entire nation stunned,” he wrote.
AAP supremo referred to Shah’s remark, which claimed that “chanting Ambedkar-Ambedkar has become a fashion these days,” as deeply disrespectful. He said that it is “not only disrespectful but also reveals the BJP‘s perspective towards Babasaheb and our Constitution.”
He further added, “Babasaheb Ambedkar was honoured with a ‘Doctor of Laws’ degree by Columbia University, he authored the Indian Constitution, and he championed equal rights for the most marginalised sections of society—how did the BJP have the audacity to make such a comment about him?”
“This has hurt the sentiments of millions of people across the country. Instead of apologising for his statement, Amit Shah Ji justified it. The Prime Minister publicly supported Amit Shah Ji’s remark, which added insult to injury,” former Delhi CM said in his letter.
Addressing the leaders of BJP allies JDU and TDP, Kejriwal wrote, “People are beginning to feel that those who revere Babasaheb can no longer support the BJP. Babasaheb is not just a leader but the soul of our nation. After this statement by the BJP, people expect you to deeply reflect on this issue as well.”
Union home minister’s comments came during a speech in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday marking the conclusion of a two-day debate on the Constitution. In his address, Shah had also attacked the Congress Party, accusing it of invoking Ambedkar’s name as a political tool. “If they had taken the name of God as often as Ambedkar’s, they would have secured heaven for seven lives,” Shah said.