The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) submitted a memorandum on December 24, to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima.
Asserting the Indian National Congress (INC)’s unwavering commitment to the legacy of Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution drafted under his chairmanship, the NPCC expressed shock that Amit Shah, a Senior Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the present Union Home Minister, used the Parliament as a platform to disrespect Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar. “In his zeal to attack the opposition during the special discussion on the 75th anniversary of adoption of our Constitution, Shri Amit Shah has made disparaging and disrespectful remarks on Dr. Bilimrao Babasaheb Ambedkarji,” stated the NPCC in the memorandum.
Viewing the remarks made by Shah as extremely distasteful and demeaning to one of the tallest leaders of the Independence movement, the NPCC noted that Dr. Ambedkar contributions to building the nations’ ethos in the form of our Constitution as well as securing the rights of members of the Dalit community and other marginalised groups are well documented and require no repetition. “Any attempt to disrespect such a venerable national figure cannot go unchecked without any consequences,” it stated.
It also expressed that Amit Shah as well as the BJP have trivialised the issue of affirmative action and reservations given to members of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, as well as the constitutional framework which recognises and protects their right to equal participation in the society. “While the BJP continue to trivialise major issues, the INC and its allies have been making concerted efforts to bring to light instances of BJP leaders attempting to “hijack” the inclusive and tolerant spirit of our Constitution; by making amendments to the same, often at the cost and well-being of historically marginaiised and oppressed communities,” added the memorandum.
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The NPCC also reminded on the INC and its allies proposal to conduct caste surveys across the nation to effectively understand the degree to which these communities contribute to nationbuilding and growth, which was opposed by the BJP, its leadership, and their allies. In retaliation to the INC’s campaign highlighting the plight of marginalised communities and the need to secure their rights, the BJP has only made repeated attempts to disparage the INC and its leadership, the NPCC claimed.
“The BJP has resorted to all sorts of name-calling and the propagation of false and misleading narratives about the INC. However, now this has gone too far. We are now at a stage where the Union Minister himself has resorted to personally attacking Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar ji,” added the Committee.
It also asserted that the remarks attacking a stalwart such as Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar are nothing but corrosive to the country’s syncretic foundation. “Given the stature of Dr. Ambedkar and the respect he commands from the citizens of India, it is clear that Shri Amit Shah’s remarks have hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians. Now, as the Principal Opposition in the Parliament of India, and being a party which is steadfast in our commitment to the Constitution, we urge the Highest Constitutional Functionary and Head of the Union State to immediately dismiss Shri Amit Shah as the Union Home Minister of our country and direct him to issue a public apology for his remarks against Dr. Bhimrao,” appealed the NPCC.
