Rijiju Laments Ambedkar Followers Falling for Congress's Misleading Claims

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress on Friday, stating it was unfortunate that followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar believed the false narrative that the BJP would alter the Constitution if it secured 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP leaders have often mentioned that this narrative significantly impacted their performance in the polls, where they ended up with only 240 seats, as announced on June 4.

Rijiju spoke at a Samvidhan Jagar Yatra, organised by the BJP across the state to counter the opposition's claims. He said, "The Congress has consistently marginalised the legacy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. A review of parliamentary records reveals that even the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, who secured more than 400 Lok Sabha seats in the 1980s, opposed reservations. It is a matter of shame that individuals who follow Dr Ambedkar are susceptible to the narrative propagated by the Congress that the BJP would change the Constitution."

Congress's Treatment of Ambedkar

Rijiju emphasised that the treatment meted out to Babasaheb Ambedkar by the Congress was not an ancient event but something well-documented from just a few decades ago. Despite this, he noted, many Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes members fell prey to the Congress's narrative. "We are educated people who have seen the world. How can we be so gullible? I wish Babasaheb Ambedkar had written a book about the humiliation he faced from the Congress," Rijiju added.

The Union minister also announced that the government would introduce special economic packages for areas associated with Dr Ambedkar. These packages would include infrastructure projects, schools, hostels, and training centres. "I will visit those places and announce such projects. There will be classrooms, hostels, skill development and training centres dedicated to women. The financial package has already been designed," he said.

Minority Affairs Ministry Under Different Leadership

Rijiju pointed out that during Congress rule, the Union minority affairs ministry was effectively turned into a Muslim affairs ministry, despite there being six minority communities in India: Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Parsis. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a Buddhist like himself heads the ministry. Additionally, a Sikh leads the National Commission for Minority Affairs.

"The Congress had turned the Union minority affairs ministry into the Muslim affairs ministry though there are six minority communities, namely Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsi, in the country," Rijiju stated. "During the Congress, the head of the ministry was always a Muslim. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Buddhist like me is heading the ministry. A Sikh heads the National Commission for Minority Affairs," he told those gathered.

In conclusion, Rijiju reiterated his disappointment over followers of Dr Ambedkar falling for what he termed as false narratives by Congress. He stressed that it was crucial for educated individuals to see through such claims and recognise their impact on electoral outcomes and community perceptions.