While speaking on the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, LoP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had pointed out how the budget desserts were given to 2-3 per cent people of the country, and which were prepared by those who actually represented them. About 90 per cent of the people were given pittance, who belonged to Dalits, OBCs, Tribes and other weaker sections of the society. The solution is a Caste Census which may enable people to know what is their rightful share in national resources. The criticism was sharp since he also explained the anatomy of the ‘lotus trap’ laid by six people in the country that has established control over the national resources. Until the trap is broken people would get pittance and would continue to suffer.

There were intermittent disruptions during Rahul Gandhi’s speech and was blacked out from direct TV telecast at crucial points, but these were not enough for the ruling establishment to satisfy their grudge against his speech. BJP MP Anurag Thakur, a former minister under premiership of Narendra Modi, later sharply attacked Rahul Gandhi by saying, “The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census.” It was a disgraceful remark against the LoP, which violates all social, political, and parliamentary norms. It is not at all done in any civilized society. Thakur threw the filth on him further and by saying a few people are “accidental Hindus”.

The matter does not end here, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised and endorsed Thakur’s speech in the Lok Sabha terming it as “must-hear”. “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,” he posted on twitter.

Rahul Gandhi has responded to the remark by Anurag Thakur saying, “Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit, and the backwards, 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.”… “You can insult me as much as you like but we will pass the caste census in Parliament.”

It should be noted that Caste Census has been one of the core issues during the Lok Sabha Election 2024 , that has brought down BJP led by PM Narendra Modi to a minority with only 240 seats in the Lok Sabha. Bihar had already got Caste Census done despite constant opposition by the central BJP leadership, though some of the state BJP leaders were supporting the caste census. JD(U) leader and Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar had spearheaded it with the support of the RJD, Congress, and several other non-BJP political parties. JD(U) was then part of INDIA bloc, and then it promised a Caste Census at the national level. JD(U) had also brought a legislation and increased reservation in the state to 65 per cent on the basis of the Caste Census, which has been struck down by the Patna High Court recently, and the Supreme Court has refused to stay the High Court’s order.

Nevertheless, JD(U) leader and CM Nitish Kumar deserted INIDIA bloc just before the election and became part of NDA. Even at that time doubts had been raised about the fate of the Caste Census and the legislation that was brought to secure 65 per cent reservation for the weaker sections including the OBC’s, STs, SCs, and Economically backward forward class people, since the Central BJP leadership was against the Caste Census.

To form the government at the Centre, PM Modi needed the support of the JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, who had got the Caste Census done and the legislation for 65 per cent reservation passed. BJP has now strongly opposed the Caste Census in the Parliament when Rahul Gandhi demanded it. Certainly, it will have a political and social repercussion across the country in the months to come. Politically it may damage the prospects of the BJP further, and it may be possible that Nitish Kumar may try to save his skin from BJP’s onslaught on or opposition to Caste Census, which may affect the relationship between the two party and the future of the NDA government at the Centre.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has attacked Thakur asking how they can they aske someone’s caste. Thakur has responded poorly by a counter attack on Akhilesh, which was in no way a justification of throwing a casteist slur against Rahul Gandhi.

DMK MP Kanimozhi said, “It is unfortunate that a minister, thinks that caste is important of any human being, leave alone the LoP. This is the example they are going to set for the youth of this country. I am worried about the future of the young people of this country. It is even more saddening that the PM has retweeted that speech and said that everyone should listen to that speech. Is this what they are trying to tell the nation that caste is important?”

Thakur’s remarks show the “arrogance of BJP”, said Congress MP Manickam Tagore. In the meantime, Congress has moved a privilege motion in the Lok Sabha against the Prime Minister for Backing Anurag Thakur’s ‘caste’ slur. Congress MP Charanjit Channi has said there were many ‘objectionable remarks’ made by Anurag Thakur in the Lok Sabha, and some of the remarks were later expunged.

The Remarks led to opposition ruckus in Parliament. Lok Sabha witnessed noisy scenes today as opposition members sought an apology from Anurag Thakur. During question hour, the opposition chanted ‘have shame’ among other slogans, while renewing the demand for a Caste Census at national level. Since caste is a very sensitive issue in India, this unfortunate episode is bound to affect the social and political course of the country irrespective of what happens in the parliament on this matter. (IPA Service)