Rahul Gandhi Vows to ‘Keep Fighting’ Amidst Clash with Anurag Thakur Over Caste Remark

In response to Anurag Thakur’s remarks about caste, Rahul Gandhi firmly stated that he will continue to fight for the rights of the disadvantaged.

In the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, a debate over the demand for a caste census—championed by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi—turned personal when BJP MP Anurag Thakur remarked that those whose caste is unknown are calling for such an enumeration. While Thakur did not mention anyone by name, the comment was perceived as a veiled dig at Gandhi. In response, Gandhi asserted that anyone who fights for the disadvantaged often faces insults, but no amount of abuse could deter him from his mission.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Gandhi criticized the government by highlighting the lack of diversity in the Budget-making exercise and referring to the traditional ‘halwa’ ceremony. In response, the BJP countered that the Congress has a history “replete with instances of obstructing reservation.”

Continuing the attack on Tuesday, Anurag Thakur listed a series of alleged scams that occurred under Congress governments. Speaking in Hindi, he said, “Rahul ji, you spoke about ‘halwa’ (sweetmeat). Who enjoyed the ‘halwa’ from the Bofors scam, the Antriksh-Devas scam, the Commonwealth Games, National Herald, submarine, AgustaWestland, 2G, coal, urea, and fodder scams? Rahul ji, was the ‘halwa’ sweet or tasteless?” He further criticized the Congress party, saying, “Some people talk about OBCs, but for them, OBC stands for ‘only for brother-in-law commission’. This party will talk about other backward castes?”

Continuing in his assertive tone, Anurag Thakur remarked, “The ‘shahzada’ (prince) from this party will give us ‘gyan’ (knowledge)? First, he needs to understand what LoP stands for—it is Leader of the Opposition, not leader of propaganda. All I want to say is that he should stop spreading lies. There’s a lot of talk about OBC and the caste census. He, whose caste is unknown, is talking about a census?”

The statement caused an uproar on the opposition benches, prompting Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to interject, requesting an opportunity to respond, as he felt Mr. Thakur had insulted him. “You can insult me as much as you want, do it every day. But don’t forget that we (the opposition) will get the bill passed here (in Parliament),” Gandhi asserted.

As a member of the treasury benches heckled, suggesting that Gandhi would also have to declare his caste, Anurag Thakur continued in a defiant tone, suggesting that Gandhi needed prompts to speak. “Politics can’t be done with a borrowed brain. You speak every time you get a note. You speak a little and then, after you get a note, you speak again… What I had said was that those who do not know about caste are talking about a census. I did not take any name, but look who stood up to answer,” Thakur sneered, implying that Gandhi’s reaction confirmed the insinuation.

‘Don’t Want Your Apology’

Given another opportunity to speak, Rahul Gandhi launched a broadside at the BJP, asserting that anyone who advocates for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes is often insulted. He drew an analogy from the Mahabharat, likening himself to Arjun, who could see only the eye of the fish he was supposed to shoot an arrow through, stating that his focus is solely on achieving the goal of a caste census.

“Anurag Thakur has insulted me, he has abused me, but I don’t want an apology from him. I am fighting a battle and I will continue to do so. You insult me as much as you want; I don’t want an apology,” Gandhi declared.

Supporting Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, an ally in the INDIA bloc, questioned how Thakur could bring up anyone’s caste, underscoring the impropriety of such remarks.

“He has been a former minister. He has spoken about many things. How can you ask about anyone’s caste? You can’t do this,” he fumed.

The BJP MP responded by pointing out that Rahul Gandhi’s father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, had opposed OBC reservations, while today’s Congress is advocating for a caste census. He challenged Gandhi, saying, “You have to decide whether he was right or you are right. Was your party wrong, or are you wrong? Was he against OBCs, or are you for them?”