The Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan for not mentioning Dr B.R. Ambedkar during the Republic Day address. Wadettiwar called it a “stain on the progressive identity of Maharashtra” and a disrespect to both Dr. Ambedkar and India’s democratic framework. He accused the BJP of having a contradictory approach, honoring those imprisoned during the Emergency while neglecting the architect of the Indian Constitution.
A female officer from the Maharashtra Forest Department, Madhavi Jadhav, publicly confronted Minister Girish Mahajan during the Republic Day celebrations in Nashik. Jadhav questioned the omission of Dr. Ambedkar’s name in the minister’s speech on the day the Constitution was adopted. Despite police intervention and her subsequent release, Jadhav stood by her stance, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.
Madhavi Jadhav’s protest has sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra, with leaders from Congress and Shiv Sena criticizing the BJP for what they perceive as an “anti-Constitution” stance. Prakash Ambedkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) supported Jadhav and called for legal action against the Minister under the Atrocities Act. Minister Mahajan, attributing the omission to an oversight, apologized for not mentioning Dr. Ambedkar’s name and highlighted his past acknowledgments of the leader in other speeches.
Wadettiwar commended Jadhav’s courage, stating that her actions resonate with every self-respecting Indian who opposes the disrespect of national icons. He warned the state government against any punitive measures targeting Jadhav, asserting that such actions would provoke public backlash.
