Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally on Ambedkar Jayanti, launched a blistering attack on the Congress party, accusing it of misusing the Constitution for political gain and minority appeasement. Referring to the opposition’s criticism of the newly-amended Waqf Act, Modi said that the Congress had long been “infected by the virus of vote bank politics” and had betrayed the core vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Modi alleged that instead of using the Constitution to uplift the marginalised, the Congress used it as a political tool to divide and control. “Babasaheb envisioned a society where every Indian, especially the poor, backward, and marginalised, could live with dignity and opportunity. But the Congress ignored this vision and turned social justice into political appeasement,” he declared.
The Prime Minister also claimed that the newly-passed amendments to the Waqf Act were a step toward correcting historical injustices. “There are lakhs of hectares of land under Waqf which should have been used for the welfare of poor Muslims and marginalised communities. Instead, this land became a source of illegal occupation and corruption by land mafias,” Modi said. “Through this amendment, the government will ensure that the benefits of these properties reach those who truly deserve them.”
Modi accused the Congress of maintaining a status quo that benefited only elites and politically well-connected individuals, while common people were denied even the basic amenities. “Their leaders were enjoying in their swimming pools, while 84 out of 100 households didn’t even have clean piped water. They exploited Dalits, tribals, OBCs, and minorities for votes without actually working for their development,” he said.
On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, Modi said it was important to reflect on whether India was staying true to Ambedkar’s ideals. “We are working to bring water, education, homes, and dignity to every citizen, irrespective of caste or religion. That is real Ambedkarism,” he asserted, adding that his government’s policies were aimed at “inclusive development without appeasement.”
In a pointed political attack, Modi claimed that the Congress was actively trying to block reforms that could uplift poor Muslims and give them access to better resources. “They are not opposing the Waqf Amendment because they care about the community. They are scared of losing their traditional vote banks. Congress is willing to sacrifice national interest for political gain,” he charged.
Responding sharply to Modi’s remarks, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hit back, accusing the BJP of dishonesty and empty rhetoric. “This government keeps taking Ambedkar’s name, but their actions show complete disregard for his ideals. They are more interested in symbolic politics than actual reforms that help people,” Kharge said.
Kharge also criticized the Modi government for delaying the 2021 census, calling it a serious failure in governance. “How can any government formulate meaningful policies without reliable data? The 2021 census was supposed to capture socio-economic changes, but this government has kept it on hold. We demand a caste-based census so we can clearly assess which sections of society have advanced and which need more attention,” he added.
Kharge further accused the BJP of trying to appropriate Ambedkar’s legacy for electoral gain, while systematically weakening constitutional institutions. “They talk of equality and social justice, but they are silent on rising atrocities against Dalits, on unemployment among OBCs, and the lack of representation for SC/ST communities in decision-making roles,” he said.
The political clash over the Waqf Amendment Act and Ambedkar’s legacy has intensified ahead of key elections, with both the BJP and Congress trying to position themselves as the true torchbearers of social justice and constitutional values. While the BJP is using the amendment as an example of reform that benefits the underprivileged and stops land exploitation, the Congress is warning against what it sees as a move to undermine minority rights and distract from larger issues like economic disparity and rising inequality.
This face-off underscores the deepening ideological battle over how Ambedkar’s legacy should be interpreted and applied in modern India — as a blueprint for inclusive development or a symbol repeatedly invoked for political legitimacy.
