Ambedkar Omission in Minister’s R-Day Speech Sparks Controversy

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan’s Republic Day speech in Nashik on Monday sparked controversy when he did not mention Dr BR Ambedkar in his speech. Forest Department employee Madhavi Jadhav publicly questioned the minister about this negligence, which led to brief tension at the venue. The police then pulled Ms. Jadhav aside to maintain order.

Mr. Mahajan later said that this omission was unintentional and expressed regret.

“I shouted slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai’. I did not want to omit Dr. Ambedkar’s name. I may have omitted it knowingly. I always salute Dr. Ambedkar in my speeches. However, I apologize for the omission,” the minister said.

The incident took place after Mr. Mahajan unfurled the national flag and started addressing the official Republic Day ceremony. Ms. Jadhav interrupted the conversation to find an explanation for the absence of Ambedkar’s name.

Expressing her anger, Ms. Jadhav said that she was ready to face suspension and would not be intimidated. Senior officers tried to reason with him and were seen escorting him away in an attempt to defuse the situation. However, he continued to maintain his position.

“I am ready to face any consequences, but I will not stand by and watch Babasaheb’s identity be erased. The minister must accept his mistake. I waited, hoping that he would finally mention Babasaheb’s name, but he did not come. The names of those who have no role in our democracy or Constitution were mentioned again and again. So why was the real visionary behind the Constitution and Republic Day skipped over?” he said.

Following the incident, opposition parties targeted Mr. Mahajan. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve criticized the BJP, saying it does not respect the Constitution. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar spoke to Ms. Jadhav over phone and inquired about her health condition and demanded a case against the minister under the Cruelty Act.

While OBC leader Laxman Hake demanded Mr. Mahajan’s resignation, Lok Sabha MP and Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad also criticized the BJP. “Republic Day is a celebration of the Constitution and forgetting those who created it reflects the anti-Maharashtra mentality of the BJP. The people of Maharashtra will never forgive such ministers who are drunk with power,” he said in a statement.