Is the Aam Aadmi Party caught between Hindutva and Ambedkar politics?

New Delhi 

On the day when AAP leader and Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam came under attack over him purportedly being part of a pledge to not worship Hindu deities, his party’s complete silence over the issue was quite revealing.

While AAP did not officially react to the BJP’s allegations, party sources issued a message stating: “Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal is extremely displeased with Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam”.

Later, at 9:30 p.m., the party shared a statement by Mr. Gautam stating that he “respects all Gods and Goddesses equally and cannot even dream of disrespecting any of them”.

A party insider admitted that AAP was in a tough spot over the issue. “On the one hand you have the question of the Hindu identity and on the other, you have an assertion by the Dalit community. We can’t upset either,” the party insider said requesting anonymity. Another source said that the party leadership is counting on the issue blowing over within the next two to three days.

Mr. Kejriwal, during his campaign trail to several poll-bound States, has hailed both Lord Ram and B.R. Ambedkar in an effort to appeal to two different constituencies.

For instance, speaking in the Delhi Assembly during the budget session in March 2021, Mr. Kejriwal said that his government had been working to bring about a “Ram Rajya” in the Capital.