Delhi’s former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has written an open letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, urging them to reconsider their alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remarks about Dr. BR Ambedkar.
Kejriwal expressed strong criticism of Shah’s statement made during a Rajya Sabha address. Shah had remarked, “Chanting Ambedkar-Ambedkar has become a fashion these days,” a comment that Kejriwal termed deeply disrespectful and reflective of the BJP’s attitude towards Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution. In his letter, Kejriwal wrote, “Babasaheb Ambedkar, who received the ‘Doctor of Laws’ degree from Columbia University and authored our Constitution, is a beacon of equal rights for the marginalized. How could the BJP dare to make such a comment about him?”
Kejriwal further added that Shah’s remark has hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians. “Instead of apologizing, Amit Shah justified his statement, and the Prime Minister’s public support for Shah added insult to injury,” he stated.
The AAP supremo urged Kumar and Naidu to introspect on their association with the BJP, stating, “People are beginning to feel that those who revere Babasaheb can no longer support the BJP. Babasaheb is not just a leader but the soul of our nation.”
Kejriwal’s remarks come in response to Shah’s speech, delivered during the conclusion of a two-day debate on the Constitution. Shah had also attacked the Congress Party, accusing it of using Ambedkar’s name for political gain. “If they had taken God’s name as often as Ambedkar’s, they would have secured heaven for seven lives,” Shah said.
The controversy has sparked a political storm, with opposition leaders accusing the BJP of disrespecting Ambedkar’s legacy. Kejriwal’s letter adds fuel to the fire, pressuring BJP allies to clarify their stance.
The issue is rapidly evolving into a litmus test for the BJP’s allies, as they face growing demands from their supporters to address the remarks and defend Ambedkar’s legacy.
