Congress has always been in the opposition of Dr. BR Ambedkar but his rising political influence has compelled them to use his name for vested electoral benefits. During its tenure, the Congress government made sure to undermine Ambedkar’s contributions but today the party presents itself as a great admirer of him for vote bank politics.
Back from 2006 to 2012, when Congress-led UPA 2, was in power, the class 11 textbook of the NCERT displayed a cartoon which showed Jawaharlal Nehru about to whiplash Dr BR. Ambedkar, alluding to master punishing his slave. The derogatory cartoon highlights that Jawaharlal Nehru gave Ambedkar a deadline of 3 years to complete the constitution but since he failed to complete the Constitution within the given deadline, Pt Nehru punishes the Dalit icon by whipping him.
According to an NDTV report, the controversial cartoon was created by cartoonist Shankar in the 1960s and had been part of textbooks since 2006. The cartoon sparked a massive uproar in Parliament in 2012 when BJP leaders protested against Ambedkar’s insult. Following the protests, the then-Congress government removed the cartoon from textbooks.
In May 2012, then-Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal apologized in the Lok Sabha, stating that he had instructed NCERT to remove the cartoon. Sibal said, “The textbook will no longer be distributed. We hold Ambedkar in high regard and there is no question of defaming him. I was not the minister at the time, but as soon as I found out, I took action. I also apologize.” An investigation was ordered to determine how the cartoon was included in the books. Following the controversy, NCERT advisors Suhas Palshikar and Yogendra Yadav, now a professional provocateer and Andolanjeevi who projects himself as neutral observer, were forced to resign.
It was shameful for a personality like BR Ambedkar to be disrespected this way. This is not the only instance where the Indian National Congress disrespected the architect of the constitution during its tenure. There are several instances that can be drawn from recent history that can dictate the treatment Ambedkar got from the hands of the oldest party.
One of the most glaring instances of disrespect came with Dr. Ambedkar’s resignation from the first cabinet in 1951. His resignation stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the Congress government’s treatment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, its approach to foreign policy, and its stance on Article 370, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister, upon Ambedkar’s resignation, stated that his exit would not weaken the cabinet and have no effect, reflecting an abject content for Ambedkar’s significant contributions.
Congress also played a key role in making sure Ambedkar suffered electoral defeats. In the first general elections of 1952 and later in the 1954 by-elections, Congress actively campaigned against him. Jawaharlal Nehru himself treated Ambedkar’s defeat as a prestige issue, ensuring that Congress mobilized its resources to prevent him from gaining a parliamentary seat. Moreover, the hatred Congress instilled against Ambedkar was so high that areas like Jessore-Khulna were ceded to Pakistan which presently lies in Bangladesh because of the sole reason that the people of the region voted for Dr. BR Ambedkar and sent him to the constituent assembly.
Congress continued to sideline Ambedkar’s legacy. Despite his monumental role in shaping India’s democratic framework, Congress denied him the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, during its decades in power. It was only in 1990, under the V.P. Singh government, that Ambedkar was finally awarded the honor.
Similarly, Congress denied Ambedkar’s portrait a place in Parliament’s Central Hall for years, another stark example of their disregard. These instances are enough to highlight how the Congress uses Dr. BR Ambedkar as a mere tool for political gains and shares no respect for him. The grand electoral party is quick enough to label others as anti-Ambedkar or anti-dalit but forgets to have a quick sharp look upon its own legacy in disrespecting the great architect of the Indian Constitution.