Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (DMK) held state-wide protests in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, condemning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks against Dr BR Ambedkar and demanding his removal from the cabinet for at least six months months. The party accused Shah of insulting the architect of India’s constitution and demanded an apology from the minister.
At protests across Tamil Nadu, DMK cadres held up portraits of Ambedkar and demanded Shah’s resignation. DMK ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) also joined the agitation and organized a train blockade at Ambur railway station. VCK members sat on the track holding Ambedkar’s photo and condemned Shah’s remarks.
DMK organizing secretary TKS Elangovana demanded an apology from Shah, criticizing his remarks as reflecting a regressive mentality. “Ambedkar was a great national leader who fought for the upliftment of the downtrodden, especially Dalits. These people were the followers of ‘manu dharma’. Ambedkar saw people as human beings and these people talked about God and heaven. That’s what they are doing; sending many people to heaven,” Elangovan said.
DMK leader and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi expressed her support for the protests in a post on X. She captioned the picture: “Jai Bhim!”
“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faith in democracy, Shah should be removed from the federal cabinet for at least six months,” DMK organizing secretary RS Bharati told reporters, adding that Shah must apologize for his remarks , the DMK considered these remarks as disrespectful to Ambedkar’s legacy.
In Coimbatore, members of Tamil Dravidar Kachchi and Tamil Puligarkach escalated their protests by dragging and burning effigies representing Amit Shah, drawing attention to their outrage.
The protests came after Amit Shah made controversial remarks during a debate on the Constitution in the Union House, in which he said, “It has become a fashion to utter Ambedkar’s name repeatedly… if If they mention God’s name many times, they will be granted seven lives in heaven.
The DMK and its allies have strongly objected to Shah’s remarks, saying they undermined Ambedkar’s contribution to India’s democratic framework and empowerment of marginalized communities.