Aaditya Thackeray calls Shah’s remarks an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar, BJP dismisses protests as “opposition gimmick.”
Nagpur (Maharashtra), December 19: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) staged a protest on Thursday outside the Maharashtra Assembly, demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation over his remarks on BR Ambedkar. The comments, which Shah made in Parliament, have sparked widespread backlash.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray joined the protest at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur, accusing Shah of harboring hatred towards the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Aaditya Thackeray’s Criticism
In a press conference, Thackeray emphasized the significance of Ambedkar’s contributions to the nation and criticized Shah’s remarks as unacceptable.
“In this country, it was possible because of Babasaheb Ambedkar that citizens have been provided their rights. We all believe that such a person is God. All the hatred that Amit Shah had against Babasaheb Ambedkar came out in his speech. We are not going to accept this—this is very wrong,” Thackeray told reporters.
Thackeray also took to social media platform X, calling Shah’s remarks an insult to Ambedkar and the Constitution.
“The Maha Vikas Aghadi protested today at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur against the insults directed at Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar with a hateful attitude. Insulting Babasaheb is an insult to the country, and it has deeply hurt all lovers of the Constitution. The Union Home Minister must apologize for this insult! Jai Bhim! Jai Samvidhan!” Thackeray wrote.
BJP Responds
BJP leader Girish Mahajan dismissed the protest as political theatrics, alleging that the opposition was creating unwarranted controversies to gain attention.
“This protest is clearly a gimmick by the opposition leaders. There’s nothing horrible about Amit Shah’s remarks—he made it clear it wasn’t intentional. The opposition is only trying to divert attention by raising unreasonable issues,” Mahajan told reporters.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The controversy erupted after Shah, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, took aim at the Congress and its use of Ambedkar’s legacy.
“If they had taken the name of God so many times instead of Ambedkar, they would have got heaven for seven lives,” Shah said in the Upper House.
The remark has been widely criticized by opposition parties, who allege it reflects a dismissive attitude towards Ambedkar and his contributions to India.
