Azam Khan faces heat over Ambedkar statement

The BJP held state-wide protests in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday against UP minister Mohammad Azam Khan’s allegedly derogatory remark on B.R. Ambedkar, while the Bahujan Samaj Party demanded an apology from the minister for his comments.

BJP workers demanded the dismissal of Mr Khan from the Cabinet and burnt his effigies at several places. A delegation of the BJP met governor Ram Naik and submitted a memorandum, seeking his ouster from the Akhilesh government.

“We will not tolerate disrespect to any great men and we have held protests at all district headquarters on this issue. SP and BSP leaders do not know how to show respect to national leaders and focus only on their caste vote banks,” Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Maurya.

Mr Khan, two days ago, had referred to Ambedkar as a “land grabber.”

“Wherever there are statues of this person, he is usually seen pointing a straight finger, suggesting that the empty plot in front is theirs too,” Mr Khan had said.

The BSP condemned the senior minister for his remarks and party chief Mayawati demanded an apology from him for hurting the sentiments of Ambedkar’s followers.