New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed a press conference at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday, countering Congress’s allegations regarding his statements on Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Flanked by senior BJP leaders including National President Shri J.P. Nadda, Shah accused the Congress of twisting facts to mislead the public.
During his address, Shri Shah highlighted Congress’s historical opposition to Ambedkar, reservations, and the Constitution, alleging a pattern of disrespect and distortion. He emphasized that the BJP, from its inception, has adhered to Ambedkar’s principles, contrasting this with Congress’s actions, such as sidelining Ambedkar, opposing OBC reservations, and undermining constitutional values.
Shri Shah detailed examples of Congress’s alleged disregard for Ambedkar’s legacy. He cited Congress’s failure to grant Ambedkar the Bharat Ratna while repeatedly awarding it to their own leaders, and noted their deliberate efforts to defeat him in elections. “It was only under a non-Congress government supported by BJP that Babasaheb was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1990,” Shah stated.
The minister also accused Congress of marginalizing Ambedkar’s contributions, pointing to delays in building memorials for him. “While Congress governments ignored such efforts, the BJP-led government, under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has developed the Panchteerths to honor Babasaheb’s legacy,” he said.
Shri Shah strongly condemned Congress’s alleged misrepresentation of his statements in the Rajya Sabha. “Congress has a habit of twisting statements and spreading false narratives. My remarks, rooted in historical facts, have been deliberately distorted,” he said, urging the media to present his full statement to the public.
He accused Congress of engaging in similar tactics during past elections, including editing statements with the help of artificial intelligence. “This is their old strategy—distort and create confusion,” Shah remarked.
Taking aim at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Shah urged him not to align with what he called the “disgraceful tactics” of his party. He expressed disappointment that Kharge, despite belonging to a community for which Ambedkar dedicated his life, was supporting Congress’s narrative under pressure from Rahul Gandhi.
Shah further alleged that Congress lacks responses to critical issues raised during the recent parliamentary debate on the Constitution, including its opposition to reservations, disregard for women’s dignity, imposition of the Emergency, and failure to defend national interests.
Reiterating BJP’s commitment to Ambedkar’s ideals, Shah said, “We are deeply aware of Babasaheb’s contribution to making the Constitution inclusive and ensuring justice for marginalized communities. The BJP has always worked to uphold his principles.”
The Home Minister concluded by asserting that the people of India see through Congress’s “mindset, lies, and conspiracies,” and urged journalists to convey the complete truth to the public.
