New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday claimed that the BJP government requested the social media platform 'X' to remove a speech by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha, alleging it insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar. There was no official confirmation from either the BJP or 'X' regarding the Congress' accusations.

Congress demands apology and resignation

Congress spokesperson and chairperson of the Social Media and Digital Platforms, Supriya Shrinate, cited an email which stated that Congress leaders, MPs, and the party's official handle, including Shrinate herself, had received a request from 'X' to remove Shah's speech. However, the platform declined to comply, citing the principle of freedom of speech. Shrinate questioned why Shah's ministry had requested the deletion if the speech was not problematic.

She also emphasised that the speech was shared unaltered and presented the unedited 34-page text of Shah’s speech, available on the Rajya Sabha website. In his address, Shah remarked that “it has become a fashion to mention the name of Dr Ambedkar,” suggesting that opposition leaders were invoking his name to gain political favours.

BJP's actions criticised

The Congress spokesperson condemned Shah's comments as “insulting and disrespectful” to Ambedkar, suggesting that they reflected a mindset aligned with those who had opposed Ambedkar during his lifetime. Shrinate further criticised the BJP for altering a picture of Congress leaders holding photographs of Ambedkar during a protest against Shah’s remarks. The BJP's official handle had replaced Ambedkar’s image with that of US billionaire George Soros, a figure the BJP labels as "anti-national."

“How dare the BJP replace Dr Ambedkar’s picture? This is the same ease with which they think they can replace India’s Constitution,” Shrinate remarked.

Opposition's attack intensifies

The Congress’ rebuke followed a BJP post that edited a photograph from a protest by MPs of the INDIA bloc in Parliament on Wednesday. The edited image showed the MPs holding pictures of Soros instead of Ambedkar, with a “We Love Soros” backdrop. The BJP’s post included the comment, “Hello, Congress and INDI alliance. We fixed the image for you. You’re welcome.”

The BJP has previously accused Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, of links to Soros-backed organisations allegedly involved in anti-India activities. Reacting to the BJP's actions, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal shared the edited post, accusing the BJP of insulting Ambedkar and ridiculing the opposition’s stand on the issue.

Congress demands Shah’s resignation

Venugopal questioned whether the BJP viewed standing up for Ambedkar against insults as a joke. He accused the BJP of diminishing Ambedkar’s stature for political gain, adding that instead of holding Shah accountable for his remarks, the BJP was intensifying the ridicule.

Shrinate reiterated the Congress' demand for Shah to apologise to the nation and resign for his alleged “unforgivable crime.”

With PTI inputs