Video showing Rahul Gandhi’s alleged disrespect of Ambedkar surfaces online | WATCH
A viral video showing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi allegedly refusing to pay tribute to Dr B.R. Ambedkar has sparked a fresh wave of political controversy, complicating the ongoing battle between the Congress and BJP over remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The video, which has been making rounds on social media, shows Gandhi honouring the bust of Shivaji Maharaj, but when it comes to Ambedkar’s portrait, he is seen putting down the garland and moving on to the third portrait.
The video has quickly become a flashpoint in the heated debate surrounding Shah’s controversial remark about Ambedkar, where he stated, "It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name that many times, they would have reached heaven." Shah’s comments, made during his Constitution Day speech in the Rajya Sabha, have ignited protests from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which has accused the BJP of disrespecting the legacy of the Constitution's architect.
The viral video has now added fuel to the fire, with Congress critics accusing Gandhi of deliberately snubbing Ambedkar's legacy.
BJP attacks Congress with edited photos:
Similarly, the BJP was also seen taking a dig at the Sonia-Soros connection, trying to divert the topic by editing the picture of Congress leaders protesting with Ambedkar's photos. The BJP shared the edited image on their official X handle, replacing Ambedkar's portrait with that of George Soros, captioning it, "Hello, Congress and INDIA alliance. We fixed the image for you. You’re welcome." In the edited photo, Congress leaders were seen holding pictures of Soros, with the words "We love Soros."
Protest over Ambedkar row:
On Thursday, members of the opposition INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders dressed in blue—traditionally associated with Ambedkar—marched in the Parliament complex to protest Shah’s remarks. They demanded Shah’s resignation, with slogans of "Jai Bhim" echoing through the halls. The protesters carried photographs of Ambedkar as they marched from his statue to the Parliament House, reiterating their demand for accountability.
In response, BJP parliamentarians also gathered in the Parliament premises, carrying placards and demanding an apology from Congress for allegedly insulting Ambedkar. BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rallied behind Shah, accusing the Congress of an "anti-Ambedkar" stance. The Prime Minister further defended Shah, claiming that the Home Minister’s remarks exposed Congress's historical disregard for Ambedkar and his values.