'Insult to Ambedkar's constitution': Yogi Adityanath questions DK Shivakumar's comment on changing constitution

Calling it an "insult" to the Constitution, Adityanath, in an exclusive interview with ANI, he said that Ambedkar had rejected religion-based quotas.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath fiercely criticised DK Shivakumar and the Congress party, reacting to Shivakumar's recent remarks on constitutional changes to accommodate "religion-based" reservations in Karnataka as a direct affront to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's legacy.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (ANI)

Terming it as an "insult" to the Constitution, Adityanath in an exclusive interview with ANI, explained that during the framing of the Constitution, Ambedkar had rejected religion-based quotas.

"The Karnataka government giving reservations on the basis of religion is an insult to the Constitution given by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. During discussions in the Constituent Assembly, the issue of religion-based reservations was raised, and Babasaheb protested against it," he said.

Delving deeper into the historical context, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister elaborated on Ambedkar's stance, stating, "He (Ambedkar) said reservations should be given socially to people who have suffered from untouchability for years. That is why the Constitution of India made special provisions for them. Every member of the Constituent Assembly opposed religion-based reservations because, in 1947, the country was divided on religious lines."

He accused the Congress of repeatedly undermining Ambedkar's vision, adding, "Since 1952, Congress has meddled with the Constitution of Bhimrao Ambedkar."

Drawing a contrast with the policies of the BJP, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that Congress had supported "teen talaq" whereas it was the Modi Government, which had ended the practice.

"Congress used to talk about women's empowerment but supported 'teen talaq'. Modi ji ended this, setting the biggest example of women's empowerment," he said.

Linking Congress's ideology to Shivakumar, Adityanath said, "Whatever Congress has done, DK Shivakumar is echoing it. Congress should be told the truth about its character--when it insulted Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, how many amendments it made to the Constitution, and what it did in 1976."

DK Shivakumar has however, accused the BJP of misquoting him and spreading fake news and said he will move a breach of privilege.

Announcing his next steps, Shivakumar said, "I will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me," and further accused the BJP of a deliberate campaign to mislead.

The Karnataka state cabinet's approval of an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four per cent reservation in tenders to minority contractors has drawn severe backlash from the BJP and the JDs.