Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien has filed a notice of question of privilege against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the remarks he made on Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Derek O’Brien said that the remarks undermined the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar and the dignity of the House. O’Brien has sought action against Amit Shah, alleging the statements were in violation of parliamentary decorum.

The move follows after several Opposition MPs staged protests against Amit Shah over his remarks on BR Ambedkar during his address to the Rajya Sabha during debate on Constitution. The Congress sought the Home Minister’s resignation and an apology from him.

The Opposition MPs held photos of BR Ambedkar and raised ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Amit Shah maafi maango‘ slogans inside the Parliament complex. The issue also echoed in other states as Congress leaders held demonstrations with placards outside Raj Bhavans.

WHAT AMIT SHAH SAID

The row erupted after Amit Shah, replying to the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha, said it had become a “fashion” for the Opposition to take Ambedkar’s name.

“Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” Amit Shah had said.