Left parties protest at Jantar Mantar against Shah's comments on Ambedkar, demand resignation

On Monday, Left-wing parties staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, condemning Union Home Minister Amit Shah's comments on Dr. BR Ambedkar. The protest was organized by CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, RSP, AIFB, and CGPI as part of a nationwide movement. Activists gathered to demand Shah’s resignation, accusing him of disrespecting Ambedkar, who played a crucial role in drafting India's Constitution. The demonstrators raised slogans and criticized the BJP for allegedly undermining Ambedkar’s contributions and his legacy as a key architect of the nation’s democratic framework.

CPI(M) leader and former Lok Sabha MP Hannan Mollah was among the prominent figures at the protest. Mollah criticized Shah’s statement, asserting, “BR Ambedkar gave us our Constitution, which gave us our individual human rights. BJP does not respect him, they were the ones to oppose the Constitution and they want the nation to be run on the basis of ‘Manusmriti’.” Mollah further demanded Shah’s resignation, arguing that the Home Minister’s remarks displayed a lack of respect for Ambedkar and his role in shaping India’s legal and democratic structures.

The CPI(M) issued a statement after the protest, calling Shah's remarks an attack on the core values of the Indian Constitution and democratic principles. The statement accused Shah of undermining the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and promoting a regressive political agenda. It also denounced the BJP for what it sees as a growing pattern of caste-based divisiveness and the erosion of constitutional values. The CPI(M) and its allies emphasized that the protest was not just about Shah’s comments, but a defense of the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Shah’s remarks were made during a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, when he responded to the Congress party’s frequent references to Dr. Ambedkar. Shah criticized Congress for invoking Ambedkar repeatedly and remarked, “If they took God’s name so many times, they could have earned a place in heaven.” The comment sparked immediate backlash, with many opposition leaders and activists accusing Shah of trivializing Ambedkar’s contributions. In response, Shah denied the allegations, claiming that his words had been misinterpreted and distorted by the opposition. He also accused the opposition of launching a campaign to label the BJP as “anti-Ambedkar” and “anti-reservation.”

Following the protests, the Left parties reiterated their stance, stating that they would continue their efforts to protect Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy and defend the Constitution. They expressed concern over what they described as the growing influence of Hindutva politics within the ruling government and its potential impact on India’s secular and democratic values. The Left parties emphasized that their protest was part of a larger struggle to preserve the principles of social justice, equality, and inclusivity that were enshrined in the Constitution by Dr. Ambedkar.