Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal escalated his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on December 18, 2024, accusing the party’s leadership of being "anti-Ambedkar" in a fiery response to the remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament. The controversy erupted after Shah criticized the Congress party for invoking the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a revered figure for Dalits and marginalized communities in India, in what he described as a "fashion." Shah’s exact words were: “It has now become a fashion — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name this many times, they would have earned a place in heaven over seven lifetimes.”
Kejriwal, who has frequently aligned himself with the underprivileged communities, especially Dalits, and has been an advocate for social justice throughout his political career, responded by accusing Shah and, by extension, the BJP of disrespecting Ambedkar. "Home Minister Amit Shah disrespected BR Ambedkar yesterday. For crores of people from underprivileged communities, Ambedkar is no less than a god," Kejriwal said, expressing his deep concern over what he saw as an insult to the Dalit community. Kejriwal further emphasized his personal commitment to Ambedkar’s ideology, pointing out that he and his party, AAP, follow Ambedkar’s teachings in their approach to governance and social justice. “I follow Ambedkar’s teachings, and whenever I face challenges, I turn to his wisdom,” Kejriwal remarked, positioning himself and his party as staunch defenders of Ambedkar’s legacy.
In the wake of Shah's comments, Kejriwal also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of defending Shah’s controversial remarks. Kejriwal interpreted Modi's defense of Shah as a clear indication of the BJP leadership's stance on Ambedkar. "By defending Amit Shah, PM Modi has made it clear that the BJP’s top leadership is anti-Ambedkar," he said. Kejriwal went on to demand that strong action be taken against Amit Shah, describing the BJP's behavior as part of a deliberate strategy to undermine Ambedkar’s teachings and the empowerment of marginalized communities. The Delhi Chief Minister further called on BJP supporters to make a choice between supporting the values that Ambedkar stood for or aligning with a party that, according to him, repeatedly disrespects them.
Earlier in the day, in his defense of Amit Shah, Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to support Shah’s statements, arguing that Shah had exposed Congress' historical record of disrespecting Ambedkar. Modi’s posts painted the Congress party as hypocritical for invoking Ambedkar’s name while failing to take substantive action to uplift the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities during its years in power. Modi claimed that Congress had sat in power for decades but had done little to empower these communities, offering little in terms of substantial policy changes or reforms. This defense by Modi only added fuel to the political fire, as it reaffirmed Kejriwal's allegation that the BJP is not genuinely committed to the principles Ambedkar stood for.
The row between Kejriwal and the BJP is the latest chapter in a long-standing political discourse about caste, reservations, and the legacy of Ambedkar in Indian politics. Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution, is a revered figure not just among Dalits but across India's diverse communities. His advocacy for social justice, equality, and the abolition of caste-based discrimination has become a cornerstone of modern Indian political identity. Consequently, any remarks or actions perceived as disrespecting Ambedkar can ignite strong reactions, as seen with Kejriwal's impassioned defense.
The controversy has also thrown into sharp relief the divisions within Indian politics on how to address issues of caste and social inequality. For Kejriwal, Ambedkar represents a beacon of hope for marginalized groups, and his party’s commitment to Ambedkar's teachings is central to its identity. By invoking Ambedkar’s legacy, Kejriwal is seeking to present the AAP as a champion of the underprivileged, contrasting it with what he sees as the BJP’s failure to live up to the ideals of social justice.
Kejriwal’s sharp comments, coupled with his demand for strict action against Amit Shah, reflect a wider strategy by the AAP to mobilize Dalit and marginalized communities as part of their political agenda. This strategy not only aligns the party with Ambedkar’s ideals but also positions it as a vocal critic of the BJP’s handling of social justice issues. Kejriwal’s words are likely to resonate with many who feel that despite the BJP's claims of championing social welfare, it has done little to address the grievances of historically oppressed communities.
On the other hand, Modi and Shah's defense of the remarks is a calculated move aimed at consolidating their base, particularly among the upper-caste voters who may perceive the frequent invocation of Ambedkar by political opponents as a mere token gesture rather than a genuine commitment to social justice. By accusing Congress of using Ambedkar’s name for political gain while failing to deliver on his vision, they are framing the current political battle as one of authenticity and historical accountability.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the clash between Kejriwal and the BJP over Ambedkar’s legacy is not just a political argument about one individual’s contributions to India’s social fabric, but a larger discourse about the future of caste-based reservations, the empowerment of marginalized communities, and the moral responsibility of political parties to live up to the ideals of social justice. Kejriwal’s call for action against Shah and his critique of the BJP are part of a broader effort to reshape the political narrative around caste and equality in India, in a way that reflects the ongoing struggles of Dalits and other disadvantaged groups in the country.
The response from BJP supporters and the wider public will be pivotal in determining whether this controversy further polarizes Indian politics along caste lines or if it sparks a more meaningful debate on the practical implications of Ambedkar’s legacy in modern governance. As the dust settles, it’s clear that the reverence for Ambedkar remains a powerful political tool, and how parties engage with his legacy will continue to influence India’s political trajectory in the years to come.
