'Despite Insults, Ambedkar Never Said He Will Leave India,' Says Home Minister

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha, is addressing the lower house on the first Constitution Day today.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

• We will express our commitment towards the Indian Constituion today
• Our Constitution is a result of contribution of many great men
• It's an achievement that on Dr Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, we're having a discussion on commitment to the Constitution in the temple of democracy
• The role of Dr BR Ambedkar was very important. The Constitution kept India unified
• People were not willing to believe that India will be able to stay together as one nation
• It was Sardar Patel who got all the princely kingdoms unified
• People used to say there are many fault lines and it will break loose if any tragedy happens
• Ambedkarji had to face a lot of criticism, but he kept on presenting an objective point of view for a unified India
• Despite insults, he never said he will leave India
• He controlled his emotions and put forward an objective point of view
• He never said how he was being ignored and insulted
• He said 'I will stay in India and keeping the Indian values and culture in mind, I will strengthen the country'
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played the role of a unifying force and Dr Ambedkar worked as a binding force for India
• People try to present Dr. Ambedkar ji as a dalit leader, but I don't think he should be restricted to such a narrow purview:HM Rajnath Singh
• Babasaheb successfully managed to do such a difficult task
• A total of 7435 proposals were received and 5100 proposals had to be separated
• Pandit Nehru also had a big contribution in helping strengthen the democracy
• Dr Ambedkar provided the base for founding many institutions
• I believe Ambedkar created a base for our economy as well
• He had written a thesis in Columbia University
• He had given a concept on which the Financial Commission was established
• He was against untouchability
• Dr. Ambedkar introduced concept of reservation for equality, he said it's a socio-political necessity
• Our founding fathers believed that Preamble is soul of the Constitution and no changes should be made to that. 'Socialist' and 'Secular' - these two words were added later (Uproar in House)
• Opposition is reacting without listening to my complete statement. Dr Ambedkar didn't find it necessary to insert 'Socialist' and 'Secular' words in the Preamble because he felt it's already in our basic nature
• If there's is any word which is being misused in Indian politics, that is 'Secular'