‘If you have Savarkar, We have Ambedkar’: Civil society flays HM remark

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

The walls at Freedom Park saw the words 'Ambedkar Ambedkar' reverberating as civil society members, student unions and other individuals protested against the comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, here on Thursday. On Tuesday, Shah had quipped during a debate in parliament that it has become a “fashion” to take Ambedkar's name.These remarks have attracted widespread criticism.

Founder of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes employees welfare association of Canara Bank Purushottam Das said he was not surprised, considering the BJP’s continuous efforts to politically suppress Ambedkar's ideas. “It is not surprising to hear such remarks from someone whose party has been against the society Ambedkar represents,” he said. Those present also demanded that Shah apologize and tender his resignation as home minister. Hebbal Venkatesh, who heads the Bhim Shakti wing of the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS), spoke of how the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) the ideological guide of the BJP has continuously launched attacks on the Constitution just because it stands for a caste-free society.“Ambedkar's name is synonymous with the country and what it stands for.

If it guarantees a place in heaven, we will utter his name forever. You can call your god’s name,” he remarked. Dr BT Lalita Naik, former politician and social activist, alleged that Shah’s comments stem from his party’s fascination for a brahministic society. “Their attempt to bring back the varna system should be opposed,” she stated.