Lalu Yadav Jumps Into Ambedkar Row; Calls Amit Shah 'Mad', Tells His To 'Leave' Politics

Amid the controversy surrounding Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday stated that Amit Shah had "gone mad" and should resign from politics.

Lalu Yadav's criticism of Amit Shah came after the Union Home Minister, during his response to the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, claimed that it had become a "fashion" for Congress to invoke Ambedkar's name.

"Amit Shah has gone mad. He must have hatred for Babasaheb Ambedkar. We condemn this madness of his. Babasaheb Ambedkar is great. Shah should renounce politics and leave," Lalu Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Earlier, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav accused Shah and the BJP of being "anti-constitution" and promoting hatred.

"Babasaheb Ambedkar is our fashion and passion. He is also our motivation and inspiration. We will not let anyone insult Babasaheb Ambedkar. These people are anti-constitution who spread hatred, and the language used in Parliament is condemnable," Yadav told ANI.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore introduced an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, demanding an apology from Amit Shah.

"He (HM Amit Shah) insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar inside Parliament. Therefore, today we have moved an adjournment motion for his apology as well as resignation from the cabinet," he said.

What Did Amit Shah Say About Dr B.R. Ambedkar?

The controversy erupted after Amit Shah criticised the Congress for frequently invoking Ambedkar's name.

"Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven," Shah remarked, taking a swipe at the Congress.

The Congress accused Shah of disrespecting Ambedkar. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded his resignation and called for a public apology. Congress members, along with other opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, staged protests on the Parliament premises, holding photographs of Ambedkar.