Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has entered the debate surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s caste, which recently gained attention in the Lok Sabha.
The CM criticised Rahul Gandhi, pointing out that while Opposition leader once asked journalists about their caste, he now seems uncomfortable when the same question is posed to him.
Himanta Sarma questioned the feasibility of conducting a caste census without discussing caste openly. He highlighted Gandhi’s promise to conduct the caste census but noted that the latter has yet to disclose his own caste.
On August 2, in Jharkhand, Himanta Sarma remarked, “Earlier, Rahul Gandhi used to ask journalists about their caste. Now, when people ask him about his caste, he has a problem with it. Will the caste census be conducted without asking about caste? He says he will get the caste census done but will not reveal his caste. How will this happen? Rahul Gandhi will have to reveal his caste if the census is conducted.”
Previously, on August 1, BJP’s Sambit Patra criticised Rahul Gandhi for objecting to Anurag Thakur’s remarks about Gandhi’s caste in the Lok Sabha. Patra noted that Thakur did not mention anyone by name, yet only one person felt targeted, causing a disruption in the House by Congress leaders.
Patra also referenced Gandhi’s previous inquiries about the caste of judges, administrative officers, and soldiers, noting Gandhi’s stance on the public’s right to know the representation of various castes and religions in the army. “You feel insulted if your caste is asked, but you can ask about the caste of everyone in India,” Patra said.
In addition to these remarks, Himanta Sarma’s visit to Jharkhand includes attending multiple BJP programs, as the party prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections. According to BJP’s city unit president, Sudhansu Ojha, Sarma’s visit aims to boost party morale and help strategise for the elections.
