In a fiery speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called out opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the absence of SC and ST officials in the budget preparation team. The Finance Minister also pointed out the lack of representation in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Charitable Trust. In response, Gandhi defended his demand for a caste-based census, while PM Modi praised Sitharaman's colleague for exposing the "dirty politics" of the opposition.
Anurag Thakur and His Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi
Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, has recently accused Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, of making false claims about the absence of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) officials in the budget preparation team.
Thakur's allegations stem from a speech delivered by Gandhi in Parliament, where he criticized the government for not including any SC or ST officials in the budget-making process. In response, Thakur pointed out that there were no SC or ST members in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a charitable trust founded by Gandhi's father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Gandhi defended his criticism by saying that he was highlighting the need for a caste-based census to ensure adequate representation of marginalized communities in government institutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Thakur's colleague for exposing the "dirty politics" of the opposition.
Background
The issue of caste-based discrimination has been a contentious issue in Indian politics for decades. The Indian Constitution prohibits caste discrimination, but it continues to exist in various forms in society.
The demand for a caste-based census has been raised by various political parties and social groups. Proponents of a caste-based census argue that it would help identify and address the challenges faced by marginalized communities. However, opponents argue that it could lead to further divisions and discrimination within society.
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