Controversy Erupts at Nashik Republic Day Event Over Omission of Dr. Ambedkar's Name in Minister's Speech

Nashik, Maharashtra | January 26, 2026 

A heated confrontation marred the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Nashik on Monday when Maharashtra Minister for Rural Development Girish Mahajan faced sharp criticism for omitting the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—the chief architect of the Indian Constitution—from his keynote address. The incident, which unfolded during the district-level parade, drew immediate backlash from government officers, particularly from the Dalit community, who accused the BJP leader of deliberate disrespect. Mahajan later issued an apology, terming the lapse "unintentional."

The drama escalated shortly after Mahajan's speech at the main Republic Day function at Nashik's District Sports Complex. In his address, the Guardian Minister praised freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru for their roles in India's independence and democratic foundations but conspicuously skipped any mention of Ambedkar, whose contributions to drafting the Constitution are central to Republic Day observances. As the event concluded, Madhavi Jadhav, a female forest department officer participating in the parade, stormed the stage in a visibly emotional state. Videos circulating on social media captured her confronting Mahajan and the event anchor, demanding to know, "Why did you not take Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's name?"

Eyewitnesses described Jadhav as teary-eyed and resolute, shouting that the omission insulted not just Ambedkar but the Constitution itself, especially on a day commemorating its adoption in 1950. "You named everyone else responsible for democracy but forgot the one who gave us the document that defines it," she was heard saying in clips shared widely on X (formerly Twitter). Security personnel quickly intervened, restraining Jadhav to avert further disruption and escorting her away from the podium. No formal charges were filed against her, and sources indicated she was briefly detained but released soon after.

The outburst triggered a ripple of discontent among fellow officers and attendees, with several serving Maharashtra Police personnel joining in the criticism online. Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed demanded Mahajan's immediate sacking, calling the incident "yet another example of the BJP's disregard for the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar." Dalit rights groups and Ambedkarite activists amplified the outrage on social media, labeling it a "pattern of erasure" and urging a public apology.

Responding to the uproar post-event, Mahajan addressed reporters, expressing regret over the perceived slight. "I didn't intend to mention the name of Dr. Ambedkar [in that specific context]. I always hail Babasaheb in my speeches and hold him in the highest regard. However, I apologise for the same," he said, emphasizing that the omission stemmed from a focus on certain historical figures and was not motivated by malice. The minister added that he had no prior knowledge of the officer's intervention and urged calm, assuring that Ambedkar's legacy would be honored in future addresses.

The episode highlights the enduring sensitivity surrounding Ambedkar's legacy in Maharashtra, a state with a significant Dalit population and a history of social justice movements inspired by the icon. Past controversies, including alleged insults in Parliament, have fueled accusations that the ruling BJP undervalues his contributions. Opposition parties seized on the incident to renew calls for greater respect toward constitutional icons amid ongoing national debates on governance and inclusivity.

As Republic Day festivities continued across the state with parades, cultural programs, and tributes to the tricolor, the Nashik episode served as a stark reminder of the Constitution's role in fostering unity—and the flashpoints that arise when it feels overlooked. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office has yet to comment, but local BJP leaders defended Mahajan, describing the reaction as "overblown."