Rajnath Singh recalls Ambedkar in dig at Aamir Khan

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday took a jibe at actor Aamir Khan, when while speaking on the contributions of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in the Lok Sabha on the occasion of Constitution Day, he said that the architect of the Indian Constitution had never thought of leaving the country despite being subjected to insult and discrimination.

“Despite facing insult, rebuke and discrimination during most part of his life, he still presented an objective point of view for the country. He, however, never thought of leaving India for any other country,” Mr Singh said, in what was an oblique reference to the actor, without taking his name.

He said this while initiating a debate in the Lok Sabha on the commitment to the Constitution of Dr Ambedkar.

Mr Singh termed Dr Ambedkar a person of high integrity, who had said that he will stay in India and strive to make the nation more stronger.

Mr Singh’s remarks drew immediate reaction from the Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left.

The comments by Mr Singh were viewed as an apparent response to Aamir’s recent statement that his wife did not feel safe for their child and had also thought of leaving the country.

Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Who said he wanted to leave the country He never wanted to leave the country. You have come from outside. You Aryans have come here from outside.”