In a scathing attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting the Constitution and undermining the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar. Shah’s comments, delivered during a rally in Palamu, Jharkhand, have sparked fresh controversy ahead of the state assembly elections. The BJP leader also warned Gandhi against any attempts to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that such moves would not be tolerated.
Shah Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Insulting the Constitution
Amit Shah’s remarks were triggered by a recent incident where Rahul Gandhi showcased a copy of the Indian Constitution at a public event. According to Shah, Gandhi displayed a “fake” version of the Constitution, claiming that the copy presented by the Congress leader was devoid of content, with only the title “Constitution of India” on the cover. Shah emphasized that this act of showing a blank copy was an insult to the Constitution and its framers, including B.R. Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in drafting it.
Shah stated that by presenting such a “fake” document, Rahul Gandhi was disrespecting the Constitution and undermining the faith that the Indian people have in it. He further alleged that the Congress party was making a mockery of the Constitution, which has been the guiding document for the Indian Republic since independence.
Reservations for Minorities: BJP’s Firm Stand
In his speech, Shah also touched upon the issue of reservations, accusing the Congress of attempting to alter India’s reservation system. The Union Minister claimed that the Congress party was “hell-bent” on snatching reservations from the OBCs, tribals, and Dalits and diverting it to minorities. Shah’s comments were in response to Rahul Gandhi’s alleged promise of a 10% reservation for minorities, made when a delegation of Ulemas met with Congress leaders in Maharashtra.
Shah firmly rejected any possibility of religion-based reservations under the BJP’s leadership. He asserted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance, the BJP would never allow such a policy to be implemented. He further accused the Congress of being opposed to the OBC quota and pointed out that the BJP had always been committed to protecting the rights of backward classes and minorities without resorting to divisive policies.
Strong Words on Article 370 and Jammu & Kashmir
Amit Shah’s rhetoric also targeted Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir. Shah accused the Congress of attempting to restore Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir before its abrogation in 2019. He warned Gandhi directly, stating, “Even your fourth generation can’t bring back Article 370,” underscoring the BJP’s commitment to its position on Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP has long opposed Article 370, with Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah being key proponents of its abrogation. The move to revoke Article 370 in August 2019 was a significant milestone in the BJP’s Kashmir policy, which Shah and other party leaders have defended as a step toward integrating Jammu and Kashmir fully with the rest of India.
Criticism of Jharkhand Government
Shah also took aim at the ruling JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha)-led coalition in Jharkhand, calling it the “most corrupt government” in the country. He criticized Chief Minister Hemant Soren for allegedly blaming the BJP for political infiltration, countering that it was the chief minister’s own corrupt practices that were undermining the state.
He further accused Soren and his government of engaging in unethical practices, claiming that corrupt leaders would eventually be “hanged upside down.” This remark appeared to be a direct attack on the Jharkhand government’s alleged corruption issues and a part of Shah’s ongoing campaign to highlight BJP’s stance on clean governance.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: A Key Battleground
Shah’s comments come at a crucial time as Jharkhand heads to the polls for its 81-member assembly. The elections are set to take place on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23. The BJP is hoping to make significant gains in the state, which is currently under the leadership of Hemant Soren and the JMM-led coalition. Shah’s remarks are part of a broader campaign strategy to undermine the incumbent government and rally support for the BJP ahead of the upcoming elections.
Final Thoughts
Amit Shah’s speech in Palamu highlights several key issues that are likely to dominate the political discourse in the run-up to the Jharkhand elections. His criticism of Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party, and the JMM-led state government positions the BJP as a staunch defender of the Constitution, reservation rights, and national integrity. At the same time, his firm stand on Article 370 and religion-based reservations emphasizes the BJP’s commitment to its core ideological values.
As the elections approach, these statements are likely to fuel further political debates, especially regarding the future of reservations in India, the status of Jammu and Kashmir, and the performance of the Jharkhand government. For BJP supporters, Shah’s words are a call for action against what they perceive as a weakening of national values, while for Congress and its allies, these comments will be seen as an attack on their credibility and their stance on key national issues.