Row over caste census between Opposition, Treasury benches in Parliament

Anurag Thakur’s remarks led to an uproar among Opposition MPs with many members trooping into the Well of the House demanding an apology; Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, expunged Mr. Thakur’s remarks

In this combo of two pictures, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and BJP MP Anurag Thakur in the House during the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 30, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

Opposition and Treasury benches clashed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday over the issue of taking out a caste census across the country.

Participating in the discussion on the Union Budget, BJP MP Anurag Thakur questioned the Congress’ credentials on providing reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A remark made by the former Union Minister, which was expunged by the chair, saw Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi claiming that he had been insulted.

Mr. Gandhi, however, said that though he had been insulted, the INDIA bloc would ensure that the caste census was conducted, and he did not need an apology.

The Hamirpur MP’s remarks led to an uproar among Opposition MPs with many members trooping into the Well of the House demanding an apology. Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, expunged the BJP MP’s remarks.

Mr. Gandhi also said that he does not want an apology from Mr. Thakur for his remark as his only focus like Arjun in Mahabharat was on the caste census. “Whoever raises issues of the Dalits and backwards, has to face abuses... I don’t want any apology,” he said.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also protested, by questioning: “How can you ask anybody’s caste?”

Mr. Thakur continued his speech by saying that the definition of OBCs for Congress is “Only Brother-in-law commission” and not Other Backward Classes.

The former Union Minister cited purported portions from a book authored by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to hit out at successive Congress governments since 1947.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP intervened arguing that the repeated references are from a satirical novel written years ago and Mr. Thakur did not understand the satire.

Mr. Tharoor said he has written several other books that are not being quoted by the BJP MP because it is not convenient for the narrative he wanted to convey.

The caste census issue was also raised in the Rajya Sabha by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda who questioned as to how many OBCs were there in the working committee of Congress. “How many OBCs are there on the board of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation? How many SCs, STs and OBCs were there in the National Advisory Committee of Congress?”

“Just saying that you support backward classes isn’t enough,” Mr. Nadda said.