BR Ambedkar faced criticism but never thought of leaving country, says Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha
New Delhi: In an apparent jibe at actor Aamir Khan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said BR Ambedkar had never thought of leaving the country despite being subjected to insult and discrimination.
"Despite facing insult and discrimination, he still presented an objective point of view on the constitution though he was hurt by the treatment. He never thought of leaving India for any other country," Singh said while initating a debate in Lok Sabha on committment to the Constitution.
His remarks drew immediate reaction from the Opposition parties including the Congress and the Left.
The comments by Singh was viewed as an apparent response to actor Aamir Khan's statement that his wife did not feel safe for their child and had also thought of leaving the country. Aamir later made it clear that he or his family would never leave India.
Both Houses of Parliament are holding a special sitting for two days on the anniversary of adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly this day in 1949.
In response to Singh's remarks, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, said, "Who said he wanted to leave the country? He never wanted to leave the country. You have come from outside. You Aryans have come here from outside. We are here for the last 5,000 years and have been here suffering attacks. And we will be here," Kharge said.
Singh commemorated the adoption of the Indian Constitution and honoured its chief architect Dr BR Ambedkar, adding that Baba Saheb was the binding force of the country.
"An achievement on Dr. Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary is that we're having discussion on commitment to Constitution in the temple of democracy. If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patelji played the role of unifying force, Baba Saheb Ambedkar was the binding force in this country," Singh said, while addressing the Lok Sabha on the first day of Winter Session of the Parliament.
Singh further said that Baba Saheb was also the architect of the Reserve Bank of India( RBI) and the Finance Commission of India. "Baba Saheb Ambedkar was also the architect of RBI and Finance commission. He gave the concept of Finance Commission during his research in Columbia University," he said.
The Union Home Minister also pointed Baba Saheb Ambedkar's contribution to bring equality in society.
"He also believed in eradicating untouchability to bring equality in society. Sometimes people try to use it for political benefits for example the issue of reservation. Dr. Ambedkar introduced the concept of reservation for equality, he said it's a socio-political necessity," he said.
"People try to present Dr. Ambedkar ji as a Dalit leader, but I don't think he should be restricted to such a narrow purview," he added.Earlier, the Lok Sabha observed a two-minute silence in honour of 26/11 brave-hearts. The Lok Sabha also marked the anniversary of the adoption of Indian Constitution.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan paid tribute to the makers of the Constitution, “India is a vibrant democracy,” said Sumitra Mahajan, adding, “We need to work together for the people of India.”
