The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly attacked the BJP for expelling all its MLAs from the Delhi Assembly for three days over chanting ‘Jai Bhim.’ During a press conference on Wednesday, Senior leaders and MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar said that raising voices against the disrespect of Babasaheb Ambedkar has become a crime under BJP rule.
The BJP replaced Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s portrait in the Chief Minister’s and ministers’ offices with those of PM Modi’s, hurting crores of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s followers. India’s democracy runs in accordance with Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution—no one is greater than him. But BJP seems to believe that PM Modi is.
Senior AAP leader and MLA, Sanjeev Jha, slammed the BJP for replacing Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait with that of PM Modi, questioning whether the BJP considers him greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar. He stated that despite raising this concern with the Speaker, no directive was issued, proving that BJP leaders now believe PM Modi has surpassed Babasaheb Ambedkar.
He further criticised the Speaker for refusing to address their concerns and instead having AAP MLAs forcibly removed from the Assembly by marshals. “Whether it is the Assembly, the Speaker, the LG’s address, or the entire democratic system of this country—everything runs on the constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar. No one is greater than Babasaheb and the Constitution. We will not tolerate this insult,” he asserted.
Sanjeev Jha condemned the ruling party for not only expelling AAP MLAs for a day but also passing a resolution to suspend them for three days. “Our only ‘crime’ was questioning why Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh’s portraits were removed to make space for PK Modi’s. This only confirms BJP’s deep-seated hatred for Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he said.
He recalled how Union Home Minister Amit Shah had once remarked in Parliament that if people chanted God’s name as often as they mentioned Babasaheb Ambedkar, they would attain salvation. “Our salvation comes from the Constitution and Babasaheb’s vision. BJP’s hatred for Babasaheb Ambedkar was on full display in the Delhi Assembly today,” Sanjeev Jha added.
He further added, “If BJP does not believe PM Modi is greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar, then restore Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait to its rightful place. Until then, we will continue our protest against this disgraceful act.”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and MLA Kuldeep Kumar condemned the BJP government for suspending him and other AAP MLAs from the Delhi Assembly for three days, stating that their only ‘crime’ was chanting ‘Jai Bhim’ inside the Assembly, which runs on Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution. Meanwhile, BJP leaders shouted ‘Modi-Modi’ slogans, for which the Speaker, Vijender Gupta, praised them and let them remain seated.
He stated that if raising ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans results in suspension, AAP will not back down. “We will continue to chant Jai Bhim. If BJP has the courage, let them try to stop us. After 27 years, the BJP formed a government in Delhi, giving it an opportunity to advance the work of the Delhi government and serve the people of the city. However, the first thing they did after coming to power was to remove the photos of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from the Chief Minister’s office.”
Kuldeep Kumar further stated that this move aligns with Amit Shah’s past remarks in Parliament and exposes BJP’s disdain for Babasaheb Ambedkar. “Not just the CM’s office, BJP also removed Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh’s portraits from all ministerial offices across Delhi. No minister would dare to do this without orders from Amit Shah himself. He ordered to replace these portraits with those of PM Modi’s, ” he asserted.
He called out BJP’s hypocrisy, saying, “They want Dalit votes but despise Babasaheb Ambedkar. Even after decades of independence, they still hate Babasaheb Ambedkar and his Constitution. This is the same Modi government that, under the guise of ‘renovation,’ removed Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue from its original place in Parliament.”
Kuldeep Kumar warned that this was just the beginning. “If Bahujan communities don’t raise their voices today, BJP will continue erasing Babasaheb Ambedkar’s presence from every institution, just like they did in Parliament and the Delhi Assembly. We must raise our voice against it together.”
He reaffirmed AAP’s commitment to opposing BJP’s actions, stating, “AAP is in the opposition, and we will fight this battle. Until Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait is restored, our protest will not stop. Let BJP be clear—PM Modi is not greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar. PM Modi and Amit Shah are not even worthy of being the dust on Babasaheb Ambedkar’s feet. Babasaheb gave this country a Constitution that upholds equality and brotherhood, while PM Modi thrives on division, hatred, and violence. We will fight against this.”
Concluding his statement, Kuldeep Kumar emphasised that suspending MLAs cannot silence their voices. “BJP can remove us from the Assembly, but they cannot suppress our voices. We will continue to speak out until Babasaheb Ambedkar’s photo is restored to its rightful place. May BJP gain some wisdom and learn to respect Babasaheb Ambedkar instead of insulting him.”
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