Govt ready to probe Congress MP's remarks on Ambedkar

Hyderabad, Feb 25 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said his Government was ready to order a probe by the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) or a judicial inquiry into the alleged objectionable statements made by Rajahmundry Congress MP U Arunkumar against Dr B R Ambedkar at a meeting on February 23.

Giving a statement on the issue in the Council, Dr Reddy said Mr Arunkumar is a senior Congress leader and great orator, who also translates the speeches of AICC President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi into Telugu during their visit to the State.

Alleging that a section of the media and the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has 'distorted' the statements of Mr Arunkumar to bring disgrace to the senior Congress leader, he said the Congress MP is also a social activist and fights for social justice.

''How can he make such objectionable statements against Dr Ambedkar.'' Condemning the 'politicisation' of the issue by some political parties, Dr Reddy said ''it is a sensitive issue. These kind of issues could rake up untoward incidents in the society, if we fail to exercise restraint.'' Observing that Mr Arunkumar also supported his relative's daughter Shalini, who had married a Dalit, and his daughter too got married to a person from the weaker sections of the society, the Chief Minister said Dr Ambdekar was a national leader whom the Congress respected and was rendering justice to the Dalits as he dreamt in the Constitution.

Meanwhile, TDP Floor leader D Veerabhadra Rao demanded that the Government register 'treason' case against Mr Arunkumar and take criminal action against him. He also demanded the constituion of a House Committee to probe the matter.

CPI Floor leader P Nageswara Rao urged the Government to order a probe into the matter with the SHRC.

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