Congress protests against Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, along with other Congress leaders, at a massive rally in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

HYDERABAD

The Congress party staged protests across Telangana on Tuesday, demanding the immediate dismissal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged derogatory remarks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Congress leaders at a massive protest rally in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

Leading the demonstration in Hyderabad, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “Dr. Ambedkar is not just a name for us. He is a deity to be worshipped. BJP’s attempts to undermine his legacy and promote Manusmriti expose their true agenda. Mr. Shah’s remarks are an insult to Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution, and we will not rest until he is dismissed.”

The protest rally in Hyderabad began at the Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund and culminated at the Hyderabad Collectorate. MP Anil Kumar Yadav, TPCC working president Anjan Kumar Yadav, and CWC member Koppula Raju, participated in the rally and submitted a memorandum to the Collector, reiterating their demand for action against Mr. Shah.

In Khammam, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao led a rally from the Ambedkar statue to the District Collectorate. In Karimnagar, MLA Kavampalli Satyanarayana presided over a Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman March, joined by Choppadandi MLA Medipalli Satyam and other Congress leaders.

In Hanamkonda, Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of eroding the nation’s tradition of respecting all religions and castes. Along with District Congress Committee (DCC) president and Warangal West MLA Nayini Rajender Reddy, and Wardhannapet MLA K.R. Nagaraju, he paid homage to Dr. Ambedkar by garlanding his statue at Ambedkar Circle. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the District Collector.

Mr. Srihari said that the Constitution framed by Dr. Ambedkar has empowered marginalised communities and ensured their rights to live with dignity. He accused the BJP of being uncomfortable with the progress of weaker sections and Dalits.

He said, “Insulting Dr. Ambedkar equates to insulting the entire nation. No one has the right to undermine another person’s belief. Dr. Ambedkar is revered as a deity by the oppressed classes.”

The MLA demanded an unconditional apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called for Mr. Shah’s immediate removal from the Union Cabinet. Congress activists vowed to continue their protests across Telangana until action is taken against Mr. Shah.