During the monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted the government over the recently presented Union Budget, drawing parallels to the Mahabharat's Chakravyuh. His speech was interrupted when he tried to show a picture of the budget halwa ceremony, leading to a heated exchange with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Later, Rahul Gandhi promised to conduct a caste census and accused the BJP of dismissing the issue, promising to bring out the "x-ray of the country".
Rahul Gandhi's Chakravyuh Allegation and Caste Census Promise
Background:
On July 25, 2023, during the monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a speech targeting the government's Union Budget. He drew parallels between the budget and the Chakravyuh, a complex military formation in the Mahabharata epic.
Chakravyuh Allegation:
Gandhi argued that the budget was a "Chakravyuh" designed to confuse and entrap the poor and middle class. He criticized the government's economic policies, claiming they favored the wealthy at the expense of the marginalized.
Budget Halwa Ceremony Interruption:
Gandhi attempted to show a picture of the budget halwa ceremony, a ritual held before the budget presentation, as evidence of the budget's secrecy. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman objected, saying it was not part of official documents. A heated exchange ensued, leading to Gandhi being asked to withdraw his remarks.
Caste Census Promise:
During his speech, Gandhi also promised to conduct a caste census if his party came to power. He accused the BJP government of dismissing the need for such a census, which he said would provide an "x-ray of the country" and reveal the extent of caste discrimination.
FAQs:
Answer: The Chakravyuh is a military formation in the Mahabharata epic that is designed to confuse and trap an enemy. It is a labyrinthine formation with multiple layers of defense.
Answer: Gandhi argued that the budget was complex and confusing, and that it was designed to entrap the poor and middle class by promising benefits but delivering little.
Answer: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman objected to Gandhi showing the picture, saying it was not part of official budget documents.
Answer: A caste census is a comprehensive enumeration of the number of people belonging to different castes in a country. It is used to collect data on the social and economic status of various caste groups.
Answer: A caste census can provide valuable information about caste discrimination and inequality in society. It can help identify areas where interventions are needed to promote social justice.
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