Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah to issue an apology for his recent remarks on B R Ambedkar, warning of nationwide protests if her demand is not met.

In a series of posts on X, Mayawati slammed Shah’s statement, made during a Constitution Day debate in the Rajya Sabha, as disrespectful towards Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. She described Ambedkar as a “super-humanistic” figure whose contributions to the self-respect and rights of Dalits, deprived groups, and other marginalised sections make him revered “as God.”

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“Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the author of the original book in the form of the super-humanistic and welfare Constitution for the self-respect and human rights of the Dalits, deprived, and other neglected people of the country, is as revered as God. His disrespect by Shri Amit Shah hurts the hearts of the people,” she wrote in her post.

What did Amit Shah say about BR Ambedkar?

Shah had remarked in Parliament: “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have attained heaven for seven lifetimes.”

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The statement drew sharp criticism, with the BSP demanding its retraction and an apology. Mayawati emphasised that if Shah does not take back his words and express repentance, the party will organise peaceful demonstrations across all district headquarters on 24 December.

“Ambedkarite BSP has demanded that he take back his statement and repent, which has not been done till now,” Mayawati said.

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The controversy has also sparked heated protests in both houses of Parliament, with opposition and treasury benches trading barbs. Shah, in a press conference on Wednesday, accused the Congress of misrepresenting his words. Despite the clarification, the uproar continued until the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on Friday.

The planned nationwide protests by the BSP underscore the growing discontent over the remarks, with Mayawati’s party taking a strong stand in defence of Ambedkar’s legacy.