Congress and BJP Lock Horns Over Dr. Ambedkar's Legacy: A Battle of Words Intensifies in Madhya Pradesh

 

Bhopal, December 23, 2024 – The political battleground in Madhya Pradesh heated up on Monday as BJP State President and Khajuraho MP, Vishnu Dutt Sharma, held a press briefing at the BJP state office. In his remarks, Sharma launched a scathing critique of the Congress party, accusing it of exploiting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s name for political gains while neglecting his principles during its decades-long rule.

Sharma claimed that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has actively worked to honor Ambedkar’s legacy by developing significant landmarks associated with his life, including memorials in Mhow, Nagpur, London, Delhi, and Mumbai. He contrasted this with Congress's alleged history of sidelining Ambedkar, stating, "The Congress that ignored and humiliated Dr. Ambedkar is now attempting to mislead the public by misusing his name."

Accusations flew thick and fast as Sharma alleged that the Congress and its so-called "toolkit gang" were spreading misinformation using AI-edited videos, particularly targeting Shah's statements. Referring to past instances, he accused Congress of doctoring comments during election campaigns to fuel public dissent.

Sharma also revisited historical grievances, highlighting incidents where Congress leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, allegedly opposed Ambedkar. He pointed out that Nehru campaigned against Ambedkar in elections and implemented Article 370, which Sharma argued marginalized Dalit communities in Jammu and Kashmir. He further criticized Congress for failing to honor Ambedkar adequately during its tenure, instead prioritizing the Nehru-Gandhi family with national awards and memorials.

However, the Congress party has pushed back strongly against such allegations. Leaders like Digvijaya Singh have called out the BJP's rhetoric, accusing it of attempting to rewrite history for electoral gains. Congress has defended its legacy, citing its contributions to democracy and social justice, and labeled the BJP’s remarks as a distraction from pressing governance issues.

The rivalry took another turn when Sharma raised the controversial depiction of Ambedkar in an NCERT textbook during the UPA-2 government, which allegedly showed Nehru whipping Ambedkar. Calling it a disgrace, he questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's silence on the matter and accused the party of paying only lip service to Ambedkar's ideals.

This ongoing tussle underscores the larger battle for political narratives as both parties vie for the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar—a towering figure in Indian history and an architect of the Constitution. While BJP claims to uphold Ambedkar’s principles through its policies and programs, Congress asserts its historic commitment to social justice.

As political tensions escalate, the electorate is left to navigate through the competing claims, reflecting a deeper struggle over how Ambedkar’s vision for India should be interpreted and implemented in contemporary times.

This article is based on a press release issued by the Bhartiya Janta Party. While GNN has adapted the content for journalistic clarity and neutrality, the information and views presented originate from the press release. For More info, CLICK HERE.