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The political landscape in India continues to be dominated by a fierce debate surrounding the implementation of a caste census. This issue has become a major point of contention between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress (INC). The latest salvo in this ongoing battle was fired by BJP leader Anurag Thakur, who delivered a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a parliamentary session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seemingly impressed by Thakur's speech, took to social media to express his approval, calling it a “must-hear” and highlighting its “perfect mix of facts and humour.”
Thakur's speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha, was a direct response to Rahul Gandhi's earlier remarks. Gandhi, in his own address, had used the metaphor of a “chakravyuh” – a complex military formation from the Hindu epic Mahabharata – to criticize the BJP-led government. Thakur, in his counter-argument, interpreted Gandhi's remarks as a veiled attack on the BJP's political strategy. He further accused Gandhi of misusing his position as Leader of Opposition, branding it as “leader of propaganda.”
The crux of Thakur's speech, however, focused on the contentious issue of caste census. He vehemently criticized Gandhi's stance on the issue, claiming that the Congress party's definition of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was based on “Only Brother-in-law Commission” rather than the actual meaning. Thakur further highlighted former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's historical opposition to reservation for OBCs, effectively aiming to discredit the Congress party's current support for a caste census.
Gandhi, in response to Thakur's accusations, alleged that Thakur had resorted to “insulting and abusing” him. The controversy escalated when Thakur retorted with a sharp remark about Gandhi's alleged ignorance of his own caste. This exchange further fueled the ongoing debate, with Gandhi emphasizing his commitment to passing the caste census in Parliament, regardless of the personal attacks.