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A political clash erupted as BJP accused Congress of insulting Ambedkar and Dalits after Udit Raj compared Rahul Gandhi to Dr BR Ambedkar.
Congress leader Udit Raj and BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla. (File)
A political slugfest broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Saturday over grand-old-party leader Udit Raj’s remark comparing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to Dr BR Ambedkar.
The BJP said the such remarks are an insult of Dalits as well as of the social reformer.
What Udit Raj Said?
The Congress leader, inspired by Rahul Gandhi’s yesterday address at the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan, claimed that the latter will prove to be the “second Ambedkar” for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) if they listen to what he said during the address.
He further said that the OBCs must support the statements made by the Lok Sabha LoP.
In a post on X on Saturday, Raj said, “OBCs (Other Backward Classes) will have to think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again. They should follow and support what Rahul Gandhi said at the Talkatora Stadium conference. If they do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them.”
ओबीसी को सोचना पड़ेगा इतिहास बार बार प्रगति के लिए मौका नहीं देता । ताल कटोरा स्टेडियम के सम्मेलन में जो बात राहुल गांधी ने कही उस पर चल पड़ें और साथ दें । अगर ऐसा करते हैं तो इनके लिए राहुल गांधी दूसरा अंबेडकर साबित होंगे ।— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) July 26, 2025
BJP Criticises
Following Udit Raj’s post, the BJP traded barbs at the grand-old-party for allegedly insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to diminish Ambedkar’s legacy.
“Congress is now worried about finding another Ambedkar. But the country knows how Congress betrayed Dr Ambedkar and repeatedly insulted him, which is recorded in history, ” Malviya said.
कांग्रेस को अब दूसरा आंबेडकर खोजने की चिंता है।लेकिन देश जानता है कि कांग्रेस ने डॉ. आंबेडकर के साथ कैसे विश्वासघात किया और बार-बार उनका अपमान किया, ये इतिहास में दर्ज है।सवाल ये है — कांग्रेस दूसरा नेहरू क्यों नहीं खोज रही?क्योंकि ये प्रयास डॉ. आंबेडकर की विरासत और महानता को… https://t.co/Xe99AZ6c7j
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 26, 2025
He further took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and said that he can “never become anything, except a historic failure. The question is — why isn’t Congress searching for another Nehru? Because this effort is a conspiracy to diminish Dr Ambedkar’s legacy and greatness, And as for Rahul Gandhi — he can never become anything, except a historic failure,” he added.
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Congress was talking about a second BR Ambedkar when it never respected the “original” one.
“Insulting Dalits and BR Ambedkar has become the Congress’ identity… Who insulted the “original” Ambedkar? Who did not bestow the Bharat Ratna on him? Who did not let his Constitution be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir? Who spoke about Muslim reservation? Who said reservation is bad… Jawaharlal Nehru,” Poonawalla said.
What Rahul Gandhi Said?
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he was determined to correct it.
While speaking at the ’Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan’ of OBC at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, he said that he failed to understand the issues of the OBCs earlier, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women, where he claimed the Congress had done commendable work.
“I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle — all these things I did well. As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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