Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on Dr BR Ambedkar made in Parliament rocked Maharashtra’s Legislative Council on Wednesday, leading to the opposition walking out.

In the state assembly, senior Congress member Nitin Raut said “insult” to Ambedkar will not be tolerated. “We revere Ambedkar as God,” he said. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad said, “Not fashion, but Ambedkar is our passion.”

Shiv Sena-UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray Attacks Union Home Minister

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray later launched a fierce criticism against Shah. Demanding action against Shah, Thackeray warned that if the Prime Minister continues to shield him, neither the BJP nor the Prime Minister himself have the right to remain in power. He emphasised that the remarks came during a parliamentary discussion commemorating 75 years of India’s independence.

Thackeray called Shah’s remarks an act of “arrogance” and accused the BJP of hypocrisy regarding its stance on Hindutva, claiming the party’s ideology reflects a “double standard”. He said, “Speaking of Lord Ram in public, while plotting against leaders like Babasaheb behind closed doors.”

He further criticised the BJP leaders for wanting to erase the legacy of historical figures like Ambedkar, and only seeking to promote their own names.

Ambadas Danve On The Row

In the legislative council on Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition, Ambadas Danve, said Shah’s remarks were an insult to the architect of the Constitution and insisted on a discussion on the matter. The demand met with noisy protests from the ruling alliance members and booing by the opposition benches. Deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe said this issue cannot be discussed as “rules do not allow this”. Her stand led the opposition to question the chair on why discussion on important issues should be curbed by rules.

Refusing to halt the house proceedings, Gorhe accused the opposition of “misleading the public”, following which opposition leaders, led by Danve, walked out in protest. Meanwhile, Thackeray also took aim at the BJP over the party’s attack on Jawaharlal Nehru, saying that they have now “shifted focus to undermining Ambedkar”. He also challenged Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, and Ramdas Athawale to take a stand on Shah’s remarks. “Will Ramdas Athawale resign? What will Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar say about this insult? Do they believe using Ambedkar’s name is just a trend?”

Thackeray said, “During the Lok Sabha elections, we warned that the BJP had plans to change the Constitution. Now, their true feelings about Babasaheb are out in the open. It is unfortunate that Shah chose a moment of constitutional significance to make such disrespectful comments,” he said.

Thackeray also alleged that the BJP leadership is plotting to undermine Maharashtra’s economic stature and diminish Mumbai’s significance. He claimed, “Today, they have insulted the son of Maharashtra and a national icon. This shows their arrogance and disdain for the state's contribution.” He then called on RSS to clarify its stance.