'Divider in-chief Rahul Gandhi': BJP defends Anurag Thakur on caste row

Anurag Thakur triggered a row on Tuesday during his Lok Sabha speech by apparently targeting Rahul Gandhi by making veiled references to his caste

Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on Wednesday defended his party colleague and Hamirpur MP, Anurag Thakur, over his controversial remarks on 'caste'. Trivedi's clarification came after opposition leaders claimed that Thakur's remarks were a veiled attack on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters, Trivedi said that Thakur did not name anyone in his speech, further posing a question to the opposition, “... Udta teer kisne pakad liya apne upar? (who has then automatically targeted themselves)?”

He further equated the incident to the popular Hindi proverb ‘chor ki dhadhi me tinka’ (guilty conscience needs no accuser).

The BJP leader added that the Congress-led INDIA bloc is confused. “Akhilesh Yadav on the floor of the House said, ‘How can you ask someone their caste?’ but then went on to say, 'ask the caste of the entire country' (referring to his demand for caste census). What is your stand? Should one ask or not?...”

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labelled Gandhi as "divider in-chief" whose "master plan to divide the country" has been exposed. "He is the same Rahul Gandhi who used ask the journalist...what is your caste? Ask every individual of the country their caste and when you are asked the same question then you get furious?" Bhandari said.

Anurag Thakur's controversial speech row explained

Thakur triggered a controversy on Tuesday during his Lok Sabha speech. As he was responding to Rahul Gandhi's allegations in Parliament, Opposition leaders claimed that his veiled reference to caste was a deliberate attack on Rahul, who is advocating for a caste-based census in the country.

Thakur also labelled Gandhi an “accidental Hindu” and said his speech was based on “borrowed wisdom.” He further stated that Gandhi’s reference to the Mahabharata in his Budget address to the Lok Sabha was based on “accidental knowledge”.

Thakur’s remarks related to caste were expunged. “How dare you ask his caste,” Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had earlier questioned Thakur.

The remarks have invited strong criticism from INDIA bloc leaders, who demanded Thakur’s apology over the issue. Meanwhile, Gandhi accused the BJP MP from Himachal of abusing and insulting him but said he did not need an apology.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Thakur for his speech. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said the speech was a “must hear” and “exposed” the INDIA bloc’s “dirty politics.”

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani was also among the party leaders to share the clip on their social media platforms.

In response, the Congress on Wednesday moved a Breach of Privilege motion against PM Modi for sharing Thakur’s speech.