Ahead of the 135th Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today flagged off a massive “Run for Ambedkar, Run for Constitution” marathon in the heart of the national capital. Addressing a gathering of thousands at Janpath, Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the RSS-BJP combine, alleging that their “main objective is to finish off the Constitution.” He argued that the current administration’s policies are designed to dismantle the egalitarian framework established by B.R. Ambedkar, specifically targeting the rights of Dalits, Tribals, and minorities to ensure they are no longer considered “equals” in the eyes of the law.
The Ideological Battleground The marathon is part of a larger nationwide campaign by the Congress to position itself as the sole guardian of Constitutional values before the upcoming 2029 General Elections. Gandhi emphasized that the Constitution is not just a legal document but a “living shield” for the marginalized. The BJP, however, has dismissed the event as a “political stunt.” Union Minister Ashwath Narayan countered that the Congress has historically been the party that subverted the Constitution, citing the 1975 Emergency. He claimed that the current government’s implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Digital India initiatives are the true embodiments of Ambedkar’s vision for an empowered India.
Public Sentiment and Participation The event saw participation from various civil society organizations, student unions, and professional athletes. Security was tight across Central Delhi as the marathon route passed near the Parliament House and the newly inaugurated Ambedkar Memorial. The visual of Gandhi running alongside youth from various backgrounds has gone viral, sparking a heated debate on social media about whether the Constitution is truly under threat or if this is merely a tactical narrative to consolidate the Dalit vote bank in crucial states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
