Amit Shah's remark insulted Ambedkar, should take back his words: Mayawati
Lucknow, Dec 19: BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should take back his recent remark on B R Ambedkar, and alleged that it has harmed the Dalit icon's dignity and offended his followers.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's reaction came even as the BJP and the opposition parties at the Centre locked horns over Shah's remark made earlier this week in the Rajya Sabha.
The BSP is aligned with neither the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the INDIA bloc, which comprises the Congress, Samajwadi Party and other opposition factions.
"The words used by the BJP's Amit Shah in Parliament about the original architect of the Indian Constitution and the revered God and Messiah of Dalits and other neglected classes, Param Pujya Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, have greatly harmed Babasaheb's dignity," Mayawati said at a select press conference here.
"Our party believes that this has insulted him in a way, due to which there is tremendous anger and resentment among his followers in the whole country and I would say that he should take back these words soon and also repent for this. Otherwise, his followers will never be able to forget this incident nor will they ever be able to forgive him," the BSP chief added.
Mayawati also slammed the Congress, accusing it of not giving due respect to Ambedkar in the past.
"Ambedkar's followers have not yet been able to forget the innumerable misdeeds of the Congress party against Babasaheb. They are never going to forgive the Congress party, no matter how much it changes its style and conduct etc.," she added.
Mayawati alleged that after Ambedkar's death, the Congress worked to remove his name and his contributions to the making of the Constitution from the pages of history.
Attacking the Congress, the BSP supremo said, "Babasaheb had urged people from these communities never to associate with the Congress because it repeatedly insulted him. The Congress forced him to resign from his position as law minister and even prevented him from entering Parliament despite being elected."
She further alleged, "The laws and provisions Babasaheb introduced in the Constitution to benefit marginalised communities were never implemented effectively by the Congress. Their mindset remains unchanged to this day. Now, they are working towards eliminating the constitutional reservation provided to these communities when the time suits them."
Mayawati also criticized the BJP, saying, "The BJP is no less guilty in this regard. This party too engages in various political tactics to attract votes from these communities, often resorting to different forms of manipulative politics. In this process, the BJP has trapped itself in its own web."
"Whether it is the BJP, Congress, or their allies, none of these parties truly respect Babasaheb. Their respect is only superficial and deceitful, as has always been evident. These parties are merely using Babasaheb's name to attract votes from his followers...," she alleged.
Ambedkar's followers must remain vigilant and steadfastly associate themselves with their sole well-wisher, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati added.
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K'taka govt contemplating to extend Metro Rail up to Hoskote, Nelamangala and Bidadi: DK Shivakumar
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 19: The Karnataka government is contemplating to extend the Bengaluru Metro Rail up to Hoskote in the east, Nelamangala town in the west and Bidadi in the south west of the city, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Wednesday.
He was replying to a question raised by Sharath Bache Gowda in the Karnataka Assembly on severe traffic congestion on the Old Madras Road from KR Puram to Hoskote.
"I am aware of the traffic woes. I am planning for it and getting a detailed survey done," the Dy CM said.
Shivakumar said, "We are seeking a report on extending Metro Rail up to Hoskote, Nelamangala and Bidadi."
He also told the Assembly that everyday 10,000 people travel by train from Kolar to work in Bengaluru.
