The BJP has ‘anti-Dalit policies’ and promotes a divisive agenda, says Karnataka minister
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Union Home Minister Amit Shah has misrepresented Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideals and is using his legacy for political gains, Priyank Kharge, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the Karnataka government, has said.
Strongly criticising Amit Shah over his recent remarks on Dr Ambedkar, the minister said that the Union home minister was “bitten by a rabid dog”.
Speaking to the media in Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga), on Saturday, Kharge said: “I don’t know whether I will get a place in Heaven if I chant the name of God in seven births but by chanting the name of Ambedkar in this life we will get political, social, economic equality and a life of self-esteem.”
Kharge also took the opportunity to highlight what he called the BJP’s “anti-Dalit policies” and accused the party of promoting a divisive agenda. He urged the public to critically evaluate the government’s track record on issues of social justice and inclusivity.
Kharge also claimed that Amit Shah was opposed to Ambedkar’s ideology and the notion of equality. “I condemn Amit Shah’s statement. He is like someone bitten by a rabid dog,” Kharge was quoted in media reports as saying.
“Our Union Minister Amit Shah’s problem is that Ambedkar and equality are not in his thoughts. These things are missing in his philosophy and ideology, the Karnataka minister said.
“The more Ambedkar and Basava (Lingayat social reformer) philosophy grow, the #RSS ideology will diminish,” he said.
Priyank Kharge is the son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.