Kohima: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, through the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, expressing strong objections to remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. The memorandum, signed by NPCC President and Lok Sabha MP S. Supongmeren Jamir, Working President Adv. Khrieidi Theunuo, Vice President Capt. G.K. Zhimomi, and General Secretary Moa Emchen, demands Shah’s immediate dismissal and a public apology.
The NPCC alleged that the Union Home Minister made “extremely disrespectful and disparaging” comments about Dr. Ambedkar during a parliamentary discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. The memorandum states, “Amit Shah has used the Parliament as a platform to disrespect Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar ji… The remarks of the incumbent Union Home Minister are extremely distasteful and demean one of the tallest leaders of our Independence movement.”
The Nagaland Congress highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions to building the nation’s ethos through the Constitution and securing the rights of Dalits and marginalized communities are well-documented and beyond dispute. “Any attempt to disrespect such a venerable national figure cannot go unchecked without any consequences,” it added.
The NPCC argued that Shah’s remarks undermine the principles of affirmative action and the constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The memorandum emphasized that these remarks have caused widespread backlash, particularly among Dalit communities. “The disrespect to the father of our Constitution has been reverberated and defended by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its workers across the country, including our district. The ruling regime and its leaders cannot be allowed to conduct themselves in a manner which only suits their ideology,” the document noted.
Addressing the broader implications of Shah’s comments, the NPCC accused the BJP of attempting to “hijack” the inclusive and tolerant spirit of the Constitution.
The Congress also criticized the BJP for opposing caste surveys, which the NPCC believes are vital to understanding the contributions of marginalized communities to nation-building and growth.
The Congress leaders stressed that Shah’s remarks are damaging to India’s syncretic foundation and have hurt the sentiments of millions. “Given the stature of Dr. Ambedkar and the respect he commands from the citizens of India, it is clear that Amit Shah’s remarks have hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians,” the memorandum stated.
The NPCC demanded Shah’s immediate removal as Union Home Minister and a public apology for his comments.
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