The Delhi Assembly witnessed huge uproar on Tuesday as AAP MLAs, led by former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Atishi, clashed with the BJP over the removal of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait from the Chief Minister and Ministers’ offices. As AAP legislators raised slogans in protest, the BJP responded by having them forcibly expelled from the House. Undeterred, Atishi and AAP MLAs sat in dharna outside the Assembly, raising slogans of “Jai Bhim” and “Babasaheb ka Apman, Nahin Sahega Hindustan”
Senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition Atishi said that the BJP has replaced the photo of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The place where Babasaheb’s photo used to be in the Chief Minister’s Office now has Narendra Modi’s picture. “Even in the Chief Minister’s office in the Assembly, where Babasaheb’s picture used to be, it has now been replaced with Narendra Modi’s. Similarly, in Delhi government offices, Babasaheb’s photos have been replaced with those of PM Narendra Modi,” she said.
The Leader of Opposition questioned the BJP, asking whether they consider PM Modi greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar. “The BJP has become so arrogant that they believe Narendra Modi can take Babasaheb Ambedkar’s place. This is exactly why the AAP protested. Today, when we raised slogans in Babasaheb Ambedkar’s name in the Assembly, AAP MLAs were expelled. However, when BJP MLAs raised slogans in Modi’s name, they were not even touched,” she noted.
Atishi asserted that this proves the BJP hates Babasaheb’s picture and his name. “The BJP believes that Modi is greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar. The people of this country will respond to the BJP’s arrogance. Until Babasaheb Ambedkar’s picture is restored to its rightful place, we will continue to protest, both inside the Assembly and on the streets,” she affirmed.
She further stated that if anyone has contributed to the development of this country, it is Babasaheb Ambedkar. A government that begins its tenure by removing Babasaheb’s picture has made it clear what kind of development it envisions.
Atishi demanded that the BJP reinstall Babasaheb’s picture in its original place, after which AAP MLAs would return to the Assembly. “Once the picture is restored, the matter will be settled. But the truth is that the BJP hates Babasaheb Ambedkar. They despise both his picture and his name,” she pointed out.
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