Chidambaram plucks holes in BJP's 'discovery' of Ambedkar

Home Minister P Chidambaram today criticised BJP's sudden "discovery" of B R Ambedkar citing Arun Shourie's controversial book 'Worshipping False Gods,' which he claims has "outrageous views" of the saffron party on the late Dalit leader.

Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday criticised BJP's sudden "discovery" of B R Ambedkar citing Arun Shourie's controversial book 'Worshipping False Gods,' which he claims has "outrageous views" of the saffron party on the late Dalit leader. "Suddenly BJP has discovered Baba Saheb Ambedkar. BJP's outrageous views on Babasaheb Ambedkar are contained in this book 'Worshipping false Gods' by Arun Shourie. Not one reference has a good word for Dr Ambedkar," the Home Minister said while talking to reporters in Mumbai.

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Noting that Shourie was "friend, philosopher and guide" of BJP, Chidambaram said, "Shourie's advise is being sought on matters, which required an IQ of more than 60."

He expressed hope that after discovering Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambedkar, BJP would soon discover the virtues of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

On the occasion of B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary on Tuesday, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani had said Congress did not do justice to Dalit icon and ignored the late leader while nominating members for the Constituent Assembly.