New Delhi [India], April 14 (ANI): BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday criticized opposition parties of hypocrisy and betrayal of Dr BR Ambedkar's ideals for their stance on the Waqf Amendment Act on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary.

He accused opposition leaders of hypocrisy, saying they claim to support the Constitution but pass resolutions against implementing central laws like the Waqf Amendment Act.

He also alleged that these leaders are inciting people in the name of Waqf and prioritising Muslim reservation over central laws.

Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Poonawalla said, 'Those who talk about BR Ambedkar and the Constitution, their hypocrisy is exposed when leaders say that the Central law (Waqf Amendment Act) will not be implemented in the states, and they also pass the resolution for the same. Are these things within the Constitution?... They are inciting people in the name of Waqf. They give Muslim reservation but oppose the central laws...' His remarks came after Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the latter's remark accusing the party of spreading 'votebank ka virus' by opposing the Waqf Amendment Act. Kharge, while addressing a press conference in the national capital, highlighted how BR Ambedkar faced opposition for adopting Buddhism by Hindu organisations. 'These people were enemies of Babasaheb then and even now. Even when he was alive, they did not support him. When Babasaheb adopted Buddhism, do you know what these people said? They said that he is from the Mahar community, an untouchable. They also said that now Buddha has been made an untouchable. Babasaheb's political party was the Republican Party, and Hindu Mahasabha was against him,' Kharge stated. Earlier today, PM Modi accused the Congress of destroying the Constitution and insulting Ambedkar. He said, 'Congress has become the destroyer of Constitutions. Dr BR Ambedkar wanted to bring equality, but Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics. Babasaheb wanted every poor, every backward to be able to live with dignity and with their head held high, to have dreams and complete them.' Backing the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, PM Modi assured that the land of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBC) will not be encroached upon by Waqf anymore. The Prime Minister also recalled how historically Congress opposed the election of Babasaheb. 'We should not forget what Congress did to Babasaheb. Congress humiliated him while he was alive. They made him lose elections twice. Congress even tried to erase his memory. Congress also tried to destroy Baba Saheb's ideas forever. Dr Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, but Congress has become the destroyer of the Constitution,' he said. April 14, 2025, marks the 135th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar. Fondly known as 'Babsaheb,' he was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar was also the first law and justice minister of independent India.

Born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh, Babasaheb fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He is revered as a 'Dalit Icon' for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)