Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded BJP leader Anurag Thakur’s speech in the Lok Sabha, where Thakur made a pointed political counter to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s address. PM Modi described Thakur’s speech as a “must-hear.”
Taking to the microblogging site X, the prime minister shared an excerpt of Anurag Thakur’s speech and wrote, “This speech by my young and energetic colleague Shri Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance.”
In his speech, Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi for his “chakravyuh” jibe at the BJP-led government a day earlier, alleging that the former Congress chief misinterpreted his position as LoP as “leader of propaganda.” Thakur further alleged that the definition of OBCs for Congress is “Only Brother-in-law Commission” rather than Other Backward Classes, and he highlighted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s opposition to reservation for OBCs.
Without mentioning names, Thakur remarked that a few people are “accidental Hindus” and their knowledge of the Mahabharat is also accidental.
#WATCH | BJP leader Anurag Thakur says, "I had said that someone who doesn't know about caste talks about census. I did not name anyone"
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit and the backward, is abused. I will happily accept these… pic.twitter.com/7hAaV8etPr
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024
In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of “insulting and abusing” him. The controversy erupted when Thakur retorted, “The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census.” Gandhi replied, “Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit, and the backward, is abused. I will happily accept these abuses… Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him.”
Gandhi added, “You can insult me as much as you like but we will pass the caste census in Parliament.”
The remark led to a commotion in the House, with Gandhi interrupting Thakur’s speech. Despite efforts by Lok Sabha Speaker Jagdambika Pal to restore order, MPs continued to express their discontent.
Thakur clarified his statement, saying, “I had said that someone who doesn’t know about caste talks about census. I did not name anyone.”
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