Kharge Files Privilege Notice Against Amit Shah Over Remarks on Ambedkar

Opposition alleges Shah’s comments insulted Dr. BR Ambedkar, demands privilege proceedings in Rajya Sabha.

New Delhi, December 19: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday filed a notice of privilege against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about Dr. BR Ambedkar during a debate in the Upper House.

Kharge argued that Shah’s statements were an insult to Ambedkar and sought privilege proceedings against the Home Minister.

Kharge’s Allegations

In his letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Kharge referred to Shah’s remarks made during the debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India.” Shah reportedly stated:

“Sir, it has become a fashion now—Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If you had taken the name of God this much, you would have attained heaven for 7 births.”

Kharge called the remarks satirical and in bad taste.

“These comments are not only satirical but also deeply disrespectful. To use Dr. Ambedkar’s name in such a manner is a blatant insult to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution,” Kharge wrote. He added that Shah’s tone and choice of words were inappropriate for the parliamentary forum and amounted to contempt of the House.

Congress Reacts

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted the issue on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has submitted a privilege notice against the Union Home Minister for his insulting remarks on Dr. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on Dec 17, 2024.”

INDIA Alliance Protests

Earlier in the day, members of the INDIA Alliance, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament demanding Amit Shah’s resignation over his remarks. The Opposition bloc criticized Shah’s comments as an affront to Ambedkar’s legacy and the values of the Indian Constitution.

The protests, coupled with Kharge’s privilege notice, mark an intensification of the political standoff between the ruling BJP and the Opposition in Parliament.