More protests against Shah on Ambedkar remarks in the offing as Dalit groups announce nationwide demonstrations

New Delhi: Protests against Home Minister Amit Shah’s alleged insulting remarks against B R Ambedkar are gathering pace with Left parties and a national confederation of Dalits and tribals announcing nationwide demonstrations later this month, after Congress and BSP’s programmes.

Congress and BSP have announced separate protest programmes for Tuesday against Shah’s remarks while National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations, Jai Bhim Mission and Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch are jointly organising a protest on Friday.

The Left parties – CPI(M), CPI, RSP, All India Forward Bloc and CPI(ML)L will be organising a nationwide protest demanding resignation of Shah following his remarks in Rajya Sabha while replying to the two-day debate on the occasion of 75th anniversary of adoption of Constitution.

Shah had said on December 17, “it has now become a fashion to say, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they take the name of God this many times, they will get heaven for seven births.”

The remarks led to vigorous protests in Parliament, which even led to a face-off between NDA and I.N.D.I.A MPs at ‘Makar Dwar’.

The December 28 protest by Ashok Bharti-led National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations, Raj Pal Gautam-led Jai Bhim Mission and Jignesh Mevani-led Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch is likely to mobilise various SC and ST outfits in the protest against Shah.

In a joint statement, the Left parties said consequent to the “disrespectful and derogatory” comments on Ambedkar, there has been widespread anger and protests across the country.

“However, neither Amit Shah nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi are willing to own up the responsibility and take remedial action,” it said adding, they have decided to continue with the ongoing protests as well as organise protest day on December 30 demanding Shah’s resignation.

On Tuesday, Congress will be holding marches to district headquarters across the country, holding big portraits of Ambedkar. Party leaders will garland Ambedkar statues too and hand over a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu to the district collectors demanding Shah’s removal from the post of Home Minister.

While attacking Congress over its protests, BSP chief Mayawati described Shah’s remarks as deeply hurtful to Ambedkar's followers and said the Home Minister should apologise.

“The recent events prove that neither the BJP nor the Congress is truly committed to protecting the interests of Ambedkar's followers. Their policies and principles lack sincerity,” she said.