Shame Ambedkar followers fell for Cong narrative of BJP changing Constitution: Rijiju
Mumbai, Sep 6: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday said it was a shame followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar fell for the Congress' fake narrative that the BJP would change the Constitution if it won 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.
BJP leaders have often said the narrative cost them dearly in the Lok Sabha polls, results of which were announced on June 4. The party lost its majority in the Lok Sabha and ended up with just 240 seats.
Speaking at a 'Samvidhan Jagar Yatra', which has been organised by the BJP across the state to counter this narrative of the opposition, Rijiju said, "The Congress has consistently marginalised the legacy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. A review of parliamentary records reveals that even the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, who secured more than 400 Lok Sabha seats in the 1980s, opposed reservations."
"It is a matter of shame that individuals who follow Dr Ambedkar are susceptible to the narrative propagated by the Congress that the BJP would change the Constitution. Even one person who believes in the teachings of Dr Ambedkar but votes for the Congress is a matter of shame for all of us. It is incomprehensible," he asserted.
The treatment meted out to Babasaheb Ambedkar by the Congress was not a 1000-year-old episode but something that is properly documented as it took place just some decades ago, he added.
"Despite this, the Congress said the BJP will change the Constitution and lakhs of people from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes fell prey to the narrative. We are educated people who have seen the world. How can we be so gullible? I wish Babasaheb Ambedkar had written a book about the humiliation he faced from the Congress," Rijiju said.
The Union minister said the government will announce special economic packages for areas associated with the legendary social icon and jurist, including infrastructure, schools, hostels and training centres.
"I will visit those places and announce such projects. There will be classrooms, hostels, skill development and training centres dedicated to women. The financial package has already been designed," he said.
The Congress had turned the Union minority affairs ministry into the "Muslim affairs ministry" though there are six minority communities, namely Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsi, in the country, he said.
"During the Congress, the head of the ministry was always a Muslim. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Buddhist like me is heading the ministry. A Sikh heads the National Commission for Minority Affairs," he told the gathering.
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Will give Rs 11 lakh to anyone chopping Rahul’s tongue: Shiv Sena MLA
Mumbai (PTI): In a controversial statement, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has announced that he will give Rs 11 lakh to anyone chopping off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue for his remarks on scrapping the reservation system.
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule said he does not support the MLA’s remarks. BJP is a constituent of the Shiv Sena-led government in the state.
“While he was abroad, Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to finish off the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress,” Gaikwad told reporters, before announcing the bizarre reward.
"During his recent US visit, Rahul Gandhi talked about ending reservations. It shows the mindset that is inherently opposed to reservations. I will reward anyone who cuts off Rahul Gandhi's tongue with Rs 11 lakh,” Gaikwad said. The Congress had defeated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in elections, he added.
"Gandhi's comments are the biggest treachery of the people. Communities like Marathas, Dhangars and OBCs are fighting for reservation but before that, Gandhi is talking about ending its benefits," the MLA said.
"Rahul Gandhi used to show the Constitution book and spread fake narrative that the BJP would change it. But it is the Congress that plans to take the country back by 400 years,” he said.
Bawankule distanced the BJP from Gaikwad's comments. "I will not support or endorse Gaikwad's comments. However, we cannot forget that the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed reservations saying it would affect the progress.
“Rajiv Gandhi had said giving reservations means supporting idiots. Now Rahul Gandhi says he would end reservations,” the BJP leader said.
"We will sensitise the SCs, STs and OBCs and inform them about the comments of Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Even Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange should think about it," he said.
Atul Londhe, spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress said, "Sanjay Gaikwad does not deserve to live in society and politics. We want to see whether Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis invokes charges of culpable homicide against Gaikwad."
Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap said, "I condemn such people and comments. These people have spoiled the politics of the state.
Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana assembly seat in Vidarbha region, is no stranger to controversies. Last month, a video of a policeman washing the Shiv Sena MLA’s car had gone viral on social media. Gaikwad had later explained that the policeman cleaned the vehicle voluntarily after vomiting inside it.
In February, Gaikwad had claimed that he had hunted a tiger in 1987 and has been wearing its tooth around his neck.
Soon after, the state Forest department sent the purported tiger tooth for forensic identification and charged Gaikwad under the Wildlife Protection Act.
