Bengaluru, Dec 18 (Reporter) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in an open letter on Wednesday unleashed a scathing critique on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of denigrating Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy. Siddaramaiah’s pointed remarks juxtaposed Shah’s political ascent with Ambedkar’s transformative contributions to Indian society, stating that without Ambedkar’s vision, Shah might have been running a scrap business in Gujarat, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at a railway station. "Without Babasaheb, you, Mr Shah, might still be running a scrap business in Gujarat, and the Prime Minister might have remained a tea seller at a railway station," Siddaramaiah wrote, delivering a cutting rebuke in response to Shah’s comments in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. The Chief Minister termed Shah’s remarks as "arrogant" and dismissive of the architect of India’s Constitution. The letter not only criticised Shah but also paid homage to Ambedkar’s enduring impact on Indian society. Siddaramaiah credited Ambedkar’s vision for enabling his own rise from humble beginnings to the Chief Minister’s office. "If Ambedkar hadn’t been born, I’d still be herding cattle in my village. Our AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, might have been toiling in a Kalaburagi factory. Babasaheb changed our destinies," he reflected. Siddaramaiah’s response grew sharper as he accused Shah of trivialising Ambedkar’s memory within the walls of Parliament, a space he argued owes its very existence to the Constitution’s architect. "Standing in the very Parliament that Babasaheb empowered and belittling his memory is both audacious and shameful," he wrote. He dismissed Shah’s subsequent clarifications as insincere, calling on him to take responsibility. "Do not insult our intelligence by claiming, 'I respect Babasaheb, and my words were misconstrued.' Own up to your words and apologise to the nation," the CM demanded. The letter also delved into ideological criticisms of the BJP and its parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Siddaramaiah argued that Shah’s remarks reflected a historical RSS opposition to Ambedkar’s ideals, citing statements by RSS founders to bolster his claim. "Your words in Parliament mirror the Sangh’s rejection of Babasaheb’s vision," he alleged. In a biting aside, he also took aim at the BJP’s personality cult surrounding Prime Minister Modi. "Your party chants 'Modi, Modi, Modi' as if it’s a divine mantra. If you had invoked the name of God as often, heaven might have reserved a hundred lifetimes for you," he wrote, infusing his critique with sharp sarcasm. Siddaramaiah’s letter concluded with a clarion call for introspection and meaningful action. "Respect Babasaheb not just with words but with actions that uphold the Constitution and his vision of equality, justice, and hope for millions," he urged. The Chief Minister’s fiery letter has further ignited the political debate over Ambedkar’s legacy, highlighting the deepening ideological divide between the BJP and its opponents. As chants of “Modi, Modi, Modi” reverberate across the political landscape, the discourse on Ambedkar’s place in modern India takes centre stage...////...