Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has joined the growing controversy surrounding remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr B R Ambedkar. Haasan, taking to social media, wrote, “Ambedkar’s ideas are the building block on which modern India is built. While Gandhiji freed India from foreign oppression, Dr Ambedkar liberated India from its own ancient shackles of social injustice."

He further stated, “Every Indian who proudly believes and fights for Babasaheb's vision of free and just India, where all are born equal, will never tolerate the great man’s legacy to be tarnished.” Haasan, in his tweet, emphasised that India’s rise as a modern and moral global power should be marked by meaningful discussions on Ambedkar’s ideas, not by misusing them to offend his followers. He expressed his pride in counting himself among Ambedkar’s supporters, urging that his legacy inspire progress.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Amit Shah during his Constitution Day speech in the Rajya Sabha on November 26, where he made comments that many, including Congress leaders, termed as disrespectful to Dr Ambedkar and his vision. These remarks have sparked strong reactions from various political figures, including Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who filed an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha demanding an urgent discussion on the issue.

In his letter to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Tagore called for Shah to issue a public apology and resign, describing the Home Minister's statements as “disrespectful” and “deeply offensive", particularly to the Dalit community. He argued that Shah’s words undermined Dr Ambedkar's legacy and the ideals of justice, equality and social harmony enshrined in India’s Constitution.

"The Home Minister, while delivering his address, made remarks that insulted and disrespected Dr B R Ambedkar, the principal architect of our Constitution. This is a matter of grave concern, as it not only undermines Dr Ambedkar's legacy but also tarnishes the ideals of justice, equality, and social harmony that our Constitution upholds,” Tagore wrote in the notice, demanding a formal apology from Shah and his resignation. “An apology is necessary to heal the wounds caused to the Dalit community and to the citizens of India who revere Ambedkar.”

In Parliament, the controversy resulted in fierce protests, with opposition members, led by Congress, demanding Shah’s resignation. They accused him of insulting Ambedkar and disrespecting the Constitution. Congress leaders, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, also criticized the BJP and RSS for their alleged historical disrespect for the Constitution, citing past instances where their political ancestors had opposed it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, came out in support of Amit Shah, dismissing Congress’s accusations and claiming that Shah had exposed the Congress party’s dark history of insulting Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST communities. He further stated that Congress’s ongoing protests were part of an effort to shield their own history of undermining Ambedkar's legacy.

Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Wednesday due to the disruptions caused by the protests.