BJP trying to divert attention from Amit Shah’s comments on Ambedkar, says T.N. Congress

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) cadre on Friday (December 20, 2024) protested against the filing of a case against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after he tried to enter Parliament with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (December 19, 2024), and said the BJP was trying to “divert” attention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament as well as the allegations of corruption with regard to Adani Group.

The protests, wherein the cadre attempted to burn photographs of Mr. Shah, were led by former TNCC president K.V. Thangkabalu. The workers raised slogans demanding the Union Home Minister’s resignation, adding that the BJP was deliberately twisting the comments made by Congress leaders.

In a statement, TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai urged the Congress cadre to organise similar protests in all the districts of Tami Nadu.

He said: “BJP members could not tolerate the speech delivered by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. In his address, Rahul Gandhi exposed, with evidence, statements by Savarkar and Golwalkar — considered the ideological forebears of today’s BJP — who had rejected Ambedkar’s Constitution and expressed preference for Manusmriti, stating they would not accept the Constitution. This revelation enraged BJP MPs, who attempted to attack Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.”

On behalf of the Congress Parliamentary Party, a complaint has been filed with the police under Sections 114, 115, and 116 of the Indian Penal Code, 2013, regarding this incident, he said. “Despite these facts, two BJP Lok Sabha members are falsely claiming to have been attacked. It is clear that this drama has been orchestrated by the BJP to divert attention from the attack on Mallikarjun Kharge,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai added.

VCK stages rail roko protest

Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadre staged a rail blockade at Saidapet Railway Station on Friday in protest against Mr. Shah’s remarks.

On Friday morning, over 100 members of the VCK, led by its deputy secretary Vanni Arasu, led a procession towards an incoming EMU train from Chengalpattu and blocked its movement. They also raised slogans demanding that the Union Home Minister apologise for “insulting” Ambedkar and resign from his post.

Suburban train services between Tambaram and Beach were disrupted due to the protest. The police removed the protesters from the track and detained them in a wedding hall.

Published - December 21, 2024 03:12 pm IST