Rahul Gandhi and opposition keep asking others’ caste, retorts BJP to defend Anurag Thakur | India News
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NEW DELHI: On a day Congress MPs protested in Lok Sabha over BJP MP Anurag Thakur‘s remarks in the House over caste census, which were seen as a “caste slur” on Rahul Gandhi, the saffron party strongly defended its MP and said he had not taken anyone’s name but even if the comments were aimed at Rahul, there was nothing wrong as the entire opposition, including Congress, had been asking the caste of different fraternities and also the census, being demanded, can’t be completed without knowing about it.
“The number of 99 and the arrogance of the Congress… When Anurag Thakur spoke on Tuesday without naming anyone, why did only one person feel bad, and at his direction, all members of Congress stood up? The caste of media personnel, administrative officers, judges and Army soldiers can be asked but if someone asks you your caste, you say ‘mummy, mummy’ and say that I have been insulted,” Lok Sabha MP and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference.
Patra said it was ironic that asking about Rahul’s caste was considered offensive but he himself kept inquiring about the caste of others. “There was no objection when Rahul Gandhi asked about the caste of people at the halwa ceremony and also mentioned the castes of judges and soldiers,” he added.
He further said that Rahul tried to mislead and disrespect PM Narendra Modi on his caste, a reference to the former’s speech in which he claimed that Modi was from the ‘Ghanchi Teli’ caste, which was included in the OBC category by Gujarat govt through an amendment.
Patra said that during Gujarat polls, Rahul Gandhi visited Somnath temple after being advised that it would be good for his image. A media report claimed that Rahul Gandhi had his name registered in the Non-Hindu register at the temple. BJP then held a press conference on the matter. A few days later, Congress asserted that Rahul Gandhi is a ‘Janeudhari Brahmin.’
Union minister Pralhad Joshi said Congress was resorting to excuses. “He (Thakur) didn’t ask the caste. Those who don’t know caste are speaking about caste census. He didn’t name anyone, so why are you taking it upon yourself? They need an excuse. The intention is to divert the issue. From Pandit Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi, everybody has opposed reservation for OBC.”
“The number of 99 and the arrogance of the Congress… When Anurag Thakur spoke on Tuesday without naming anyone, why did only one person feel bad, and at his direction, all members of Congress stood up? The caste of media personnel, administrative officers, judges and Army soldiers can be asked but if someone asks you your caste, you say ‘mummy, mummy’ and say that I have been insulted,” Lok Sabha MP and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference.
Patra said it was ironic that asking about Rahul’s caste was considered offensive but he himself kept inquiring about the caste of others. “There was no objection when Rahul Gandhi asked about the caste of people at the halwa ceremony and also mentioned the castes of judges and soldiers,” he added.
He further said that Rahul tried to mislead and disrespect PM Narendra Modi on his caste, a reference to the former’s speech in which he claimed that Modi was from the ‘Ghanchi Teli’ caste, which was included in the OBC category by Gujarat govt through an amendment.
Patra said that during Gujarat polls, Rahul Gandhi visited Somnath temple after being advised that it would be good for his image. A media report claimed that Rahul Gandhi had his name registered in the Non-Hindu register at the temple. BJP then held a press conference on the matter. A few days later, Congress asserted that Rahul Gandhi is a ‘Janeudhari Brahmin.’
Union minister Pralhad Joshi said Congress was resorting to excuses. “He (Thakur) didn’t ask the caste. Those who don’t know caste are speaking about caste census. He didn’t name anyone, so why are you taking it upon yourself? They need an excuse. The intention is to divert the issue. From Pandit Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi, everybody has opposed reservation for OBC.”
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