After facing backlash for his caste remarks in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Anurag Thakur shared a video of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asking journalists about their caste. This comes as an attempt to put SP supremo in the spotlight for his own delibrate attempts to inquire about caste. Meanwhile, Thakur's fiery speech in response to Rahul Gandhi's comments on Mahabharata and Chakravyuh is drawing praise from PM Narendra Modi and others. However, this has caused uproar in the opposition ranks resulting in protests and a potential privilege motion against the BJP MP.
Anurag Thakur's Caste Remarks and Backlash
Anurag Thakur, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, recently sparked controversy with his remarks on caste in the Lok Sabha. Thakur, while responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's speech on the Adani-Hindenburg issue, accused Gandhi of dividing the country by caste and religion.
Thakur's comments drew immediate backlash from opposition parties and social media users, who condemned him for making casteist remarks in Parliament. The Samajwadi Party (SP) filed a complaint against Thakur with the Lok Sabha Speaker, demanding his suspension.
In an attempt to deflect criticism, Thakur shared a video of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav asking journalists about their caste during an interaction. This move was seen as an attempt to shift the focus onto Yadav and SP.
Amidst the controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders praised Thakur's speech, which also included a fiery attack on Gandhi over his comments on the Mahabharata and Chakravyuh in a previous session of the Lok Sabha.
Background:
Thakur's remarks come against the backdrop of increased political polarization and communal tensions in India. The BJP has been accused of promoting a divisive agenda, while the opposition has criticized the government for its handling of issues related to caste and minorities.
Thakur, a former Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, has a history of making controversial statements. In 2019, he was criticized for calling for a "shoot-at-sight" policy against Naxalites.
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