Rijiju Defends Inquiry Into Rahul Gandhi’s Caste Amid Lok Sabha Row

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Wednesday that there was nothing inappropriate about questioning the caste of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. This comment followed a contentious debate in the Lok Sabha sparked by BJP MP Anurag Thakur’s remarks concerning the caste census, which led to an uproar and demands for an apology from Congress leaders.

Rijiju criticized the Congress party, accusing its leaders of attempting to divide the country along caste lines. He highlighted that Congress frequently inquires about people’s caste, including during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and interactions with media and armed forces personnel. Rijiju questioned why there was significant protest when the same question was posed about Rahul Gandhi’s caste.

Supporting Rijiju’s stance, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale argued that if the opposition is demanding a caste census, there should be no issue in asking about Rahul Gandhi’s caste. Athawale pointed out that despite being in power for 70 years, Congress did not conduct a caste census, implying a contradiction in their current demands.

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