Narendra Modi slams Congress for politicising BR Ambedkar's legacy, says no other govt honoured him as BJP did

Lashing out at the Congress for practising politics over BR Ambedkar’s legacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that no government has honoured the Dalit icon the way his government has. Speaking at a programme to mark the inauguration of a building of Western Court Annexe in Parliament complex, Modi said it was the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government that decided to have two memorials installed at two places in the capital. The 26, Alipur Road house where Ambedkar died would be dedicated to the nation on 13 April on the eve of his birth anniversary, PTI reported. Without naming the Congress-led UPA, Modi said it could not happen as the governments that followed Vajpayee showed little interest and ignored Ambedkar and his contributions. [caption id=“attachment_4418057” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] “After that, the governments ran like that… Everybody is always ready to do politics in the name of Babasaheb. But nobody gave him the kind of respect and paid tributes to him as much as this government did,” IANS quoted prime minister as saying. He said his government was walking the path shown by Ambedkar and asked every political group to try and do the same for the country’s development. “At the core of Ambedkar’s ideals is harmony and togetherness. Working for the poorest of the poor is our mission,” Modi said. Modi’s remarks come soon after widespread protests over a 20 March Supreme Court verdict putting in place safeguards to prevent misuse of a law to prevent atrocities of SCs and STs. While campaigning in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had accused the Modi government of attacking Ambedkar’s Constitution. “We will not allow the BJP to change the Constitution. How much ever BJP forces its way to change the Constitution, we will make sure that the Congress protects the work of Ambedkarji,” he had said at a public rally on 24 March. In a series of tweets on Tuesday, BJP chief Amit Shah highlighted Congress’ “negative politics” over Ambedkar and praised the NDA government for its “commitment” to Ambedkar’s vision.

Congress, which is mocking the DNA of PM @narendramodi is the same party which:
Defeated Dr. Ambedkar not once but twice.

Made flimsy excuses to ensure his portrait was not placed in Central Hall.

Denied him a Bharat Ratna. 
India has seen through their negative politics!

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 3, 2018

At every juncture and in all possible ways, @BJP4India stands shoulder to shoulder with the Dalit community. Modi Government’s commitment to fulfilling Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision is unwavering. All the efforts of the Government are aimed at transforming the lives of Dalits.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 3, 2018

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With inputs from agencies