Rijiju Critiques Congress Over Ambedkar Narrative

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized followers of Dr. Ambedkar for believing the Congress' claim that BJP would alter the Constitution. Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Jagar Yatra', he highlighted the Congress' historical marginalization of Ambedkar's legacy and announced economic packages for areas associated with Ambedkar.

In a scathing critique, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju lambasted followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for falling prey to the Congress' 'fake narrative' that the BJP would change the Constitution if it secured 400 Lok Sabha seats.

BJP leaders have long maintained that this narrative cost them dearly in the recent Lok Sabha election, where they ended up with just 240 seats out of the 400 needed for a majority. The election results were announced on June 4.

Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Jagar Yatra', an event organized by the BJP to counter the opposition's claims, Rijiju accused the Congress of continuously marginalizing the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. 'Even the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Rajiv Gandhi, who secured more than 400 Lok Sabha seats in the 1980s, opposed reservations,' he stated.

Rijiju expressed deep disappointment that individuals who revere Dr. Ambedkar could believe the Congress' narrative that the BJP would change the Constitution. 'Even one person who believes in Ambedkar's teachings but votes for Congress is a matter of shame for us,' he asserted.

Rijiju emphasized that the Congress' treatment of Dr. Ambedkar is well-documented, happening just decades ago. He lamented that despite this, many from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes believed the narrative propagated by the Congress.

Rijiju announced that the government will provide special economic packages for areas associated with Ambedkar, focusing on infrastructure, schools, and training centers. He outlined plans for projects including classrooms, hostels, and skill development centers, particularly benefiting women, with an already designed financial package.

Rijiju also criticized the Congress for turning the Union minority affairs ministry into what he described as a 'Muslim affairs ministry.' He noted that during Modi's tenure, the ministry's leadership had diversified, with a Buddhist like himself heading the ministry and a Sikh chairing the National Commission for Minority Affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)