Honestly, if you’ve been following Indian politics lately, you know things can get heated in a heartbeat. But the explosion in Parliament last December over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was something else entirely. One minute it’s a standard debate on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, and the next, the "Ambedkar is a fashion" clip is everywhere.
People are still arguing about it. Was it an insult to the architect of our Constitution, or was it a blunt critique of how opposition parties use his name?
To understand what really happened, you have to look past the 15-second viral snippets.
The Quote That Set Parliament on Fire
It happened in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024. Amit Shah was wrapping up a speech during a special discussion. He looked across the aisle and basically said that the opposition has turned Dr. Ambedkar’s name into a political accessory.
The exact words? "Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai—Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar... Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata."
Basically: "It’s become a fashion now—Ambedkar, Ambedkar... If you’d taken God’s name this many times, you would’ve reached heaven for seven lifetimes."
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Ouch.
The reaction was instant. The INDIA bloc didn’t just get annoyed; they went into full-blown protest mode. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, was visibly furious, demanding that Shah be sacked by midnight. He called it a direct insult to a man worshipped as a Messiah by millions. Even Prakash Ambedkar, Babasaheb’s grandson, weighed in, saying these comments just showed the "old mentality" of the BJP’s predecessors who supposedly opposed the Constitution back in the day.
The Counter-Punch: Shah’s Defense
Amit Shah isn't exactly the type to back down. The next day, he called a press conference, flanked by four other heavy-duty ministers. He didn't apologize. Instead, he doubled down, accusing the Congress of "twisting and distorting" his words.
His argument was pretty straightforward. He wasn't mocking Ambedkar; he was mocking the sincerity of the people chanting his name.
Shah pointed out a few historical "home truths" that the BJP loves to bring up:
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- The Bharat Ratna Delay: He reminded everyone that Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi got the Bharat Ratna while they were alive (or shortly after), but Dr. Ambedkar had to wait until 1990—when a BJP-supported government was in power.
- The Election Defeats: He mentioned how the Congress actively worked to defeat Ambedkar in the first Lok Sabha elections.
- The Cabinet Resignation: He highlighted that Ambedkar felt forced to resign from Nehru’s cabinet over the Hindu Code Bill.
It’s a classic political strategy. When accused of being anti-Dalit, the BJP flips the script and says, "Actually, you are the ones who hated him first."
Why This Debate Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still dissecting a speech from over a year ago. Well, politics in India is a long game. With major elections always on the horizon—like the 2026 battles in West Bengal and Maharashtra—the "legacy" of Ambedkar is the ultimate prize.
For the BJP, moving away from its "upper-caste" image is vital. They want to show they are the true heirs to Ambedkar’s vision of social justice. For the Opposition, portraying the BJP as "Manuvadi" or anti-Constitution is their strongest weapon to keep their Dalit vote base intact.
Beyond the Viral Clips: The Intellectual Tug-of-War
If you look deeper, there’s a real philosophical fight happening. Ambedkar wasn't just a "Dalit leader"—he was a scholar who had complex views on everything from religion to economics.
The BJP often tries to align Ambedkar with Hindutva by highlighting his critiques of other religions. Meanwhile, the Left and the Congress focus on his fight against the caste hierarchy within Hinduism.
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So, when Amit Shah said it’s a "fashion," he was essentially accusing the Opposition of "Ambedkar-washing" their politics without actually following his principles of "Maitri" or "fellow-feeling."
On the other hand, figures like Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati argued that even comparing Ambedkar’s name to a "fashion" demeans the struggle of millions who find their identity and dignity in his name. It’s not just a name; it’s a shield.
What You Should Take Away From This
If you're trying to figure out where the truth lies, it's rarely in the shouting matches.
- Context is King: Shah’s comment was a sarcastic swipe at his political rivals, not a critique of Ambedkar’s philosophy itself.
- History is a Weapon: Both sides use selective history to prove they are the "true" followers.
- The Constitution is the Battlefield: This wasn't just about a name; it was about who gets to claim they are the protectors of the Indian Constitution.
If you really want to understand the weight of this, don't just watch the news clips. Read the actual transcripts of the 75th-anniversary debate. You’ll see that behind the insults, there's a massive, ongoing struggle to define what modern India looks like.
Next time you see a headline about Amit Shah and Ambedkar, ask yourself: is this a debate about the past, or is it a calculated move for the next election? Usually, it's both.
Actionable Insights:
- Check the Source: Whenever a political quote goes viral, try to find the full 10 minutes of the speech. Clips are almost always edited to trigger a specific emotional response.
- Read the History: If you're curious about the Nehru-Ambedkar relationship, look into the history of the Hindu Code Bill and Ambedkar's resignation speech from 1951. It provides much-needed context to Shah's claims.
- Monitor the 2026 Polls: Watch how these "identity" arguments are used in upcoming state elections. It’s the best way to see how rhetoric translates into actual votes.