Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of exploiting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy for political gain. He described the Congress as a “shameless” entity that, despite its historical prominence, failed to honor Ambedkar appropriately while excessively glorifying leaders from the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Sarma claimed that Congress had established numerous schemes and institutions in the names of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi but failed to dedicate even a single university or prominent initiative to Ambedkar. “Can anyone tell me if there was ever a school or a major scheme named after Babasaheb Ambedkar during Congress rule? Forget a university; was there even a photograph of him in any Rajiv Bhawan before yesterday?” Sarma questioned, citing his 22 years in the Congress party without witnessing any such acknowledgment.
He further alleged that Congress had only recently begun celebrating Ambedkar’s contributions publicly, suggesting that it was driven by political motivations rather than genuine respect. “When Ambedkar resigned from the ministry, the Congress downplayed it, claiming it wouldn’t impact the nation. They awarded Bharat Ratna to so many others but ignored Ambedkar until much later,” Sarma remarked.
Referring to the Congress’s celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, Sarma questioned the sincerity of the gesture. “Since when have Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or their family members been garlanding Ambedkar’s portrait? This newfound respect appears to be a ploy for political advantage,” he asserted.
The Assam Chief Minister concluded his remarks by accusing the Congress of weaponizing Ambedkar’s memory and sacrifices for electoral gains, calling it an “unprecedented and shameful act” in Indian politics. His comments come amid heightened political tensions as parties across the spectrum vie to claim Ambedkar’s legacy as part of their ideological narrative.