BJP president JP Nadda led the ruling BJP to pay homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar at several commemorative events across the country as well party offices. Several BJP leaders at its headquarters also read out the Constitution’s preamble to stress their commitment to its values.
Party leaders and its different state units launched the drive, ‘Ambedkar Samman Abhiyan’, to highlight how its governments at the Centre and in states have kept the deprived sections of society central to its welfare programmes in line with the vision of Ambedkar.
Union Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar accused the Opposition of exploiting Dr Ambedkar’s name for political mileage while failing to respect his contributions or develop places associated with his life.” Opposition has only used Babasaheb’s name all their lives. They neither shared his pain nor worked to develop places linked to his legacy. Today they roam around carrying copies of the Constitution, but when they were in power, they violated it multiple times. They even imposed Emergency through constitutional amendments for their selfish interests.” Kumar said it was PM Narendra Modi’s government that gave constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission, something the opposition failed to do. “Those who ruled from panchayat to Parliament for 56 years never gave the Commission constitutional status. Modi ji did that,” he said.
“The BJP is the only party that has given the Constitution the highest regard. The Constitution is the soul of this country,” he said. On reservation, the minister said limits have been set by the judiciary, and any discussion must remain within those boundaries.
Adityanath lauded Ambedkar as a true Bharat Ratna and a living school of democracy. “His struggle to establish an egalitarian and justice-loving society will continue to inspire all of us for eternity,” he said. At a programme, he said his government has worked to ensure law and order and to boost development and welfare, as he accused rivals of being involved in rampant corruption and nepotism.
Shah lauded Ambedkar in his post on X saying he laid the foundation of social transformation based on education, equality and justice, and remained committed to the rights of the deprived sections of society throughout his life.
Following the setback it received in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls when it lost a majority on its own largely due to the loss of votes from the poorer sections of society, including Dalits, in some states, the BJP has ratcheted up its outreach to them.