On December 24, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) declared a statewide campaign in response to Home Minister Amit Shah’s contentious statements in Parliament about Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, which they say denigrated the man who drafted the Indian Constitution.

BSP president Mayawati posted a number of messages on the social networking site X on Saturday, expressing the party’s strong displeasure of Amit Shah’s remarks.

As a “super-humanistic” man who wrote a welfare-oriented Constitution that defended the rights and dignity of Dalits, marginalized groups, and other overlooked segments of society, she emphasized the ongoing respect for Dr. Ambedkar.

Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is as respected as God because he drafted the Constitution that protects the human rights and dignity of Dalits and other marginalized groups in the nation. People’s emotions are wounded by Shri Amit Shah’s contempt,” Mayawati tweeted.

She went on to say, “The comments made in Parliament about such a great personality have deeply angered and agitated people from all walks of life across the country.” The Home Minister has not complied with the Ambedkarite BSP’s demand for an instant retraction and public apology.

Mayawati said that the BSP will mobilize its followers throughout the country if the demand for the apology and the withdrawal of the statement is not fulfilled.

The party has made the decision to stage a nonviolent countrywide protest on December 24. To demand justice, dharnas and protests would be held at all district headquarters nationwide on this day, she said.

As the “true messiah” of Dalits and Bahujans who persistently battled for their legal rights and social dignity, the BSP leader further emphasized the historical and social relevance of Dr. Ambedkar. “Babasaheb’s legacy must be honored above all else in the absence of Babasaheb, who dedicated his life to enabling the Dalits and Bahujans to stand with dignity and secure their legal rights,” she said.

Mayawati accused the Congress and the BJP of being hypocritical in how they handled Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.

“Parties like the Congress and BJP should at least abstain from denigrating Babasaheb if they are unable to show him true respect. She said that the day Babasaheb negotiated constitutional reservations and legal rights for SC, ST, and OBC people was equivalent to their receiving seven lifetimes of blessings.

At a news conference in Lucknow earlier on Thursday, Mayawati called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take back his divisive remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.