- Privilege Motion against PM filed by Congress’s Charanjit Singh Channi
- Move came a day after PM posted Anurag Thakur’s entire speech on X
- Remarks led to Opposition ruckus in Parliament
Channi’s Privilege Motion
On Tuesday, Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi escalated a political controversy by moving a Privilege Motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The motion addresses PM Modi’s decision to share expunged remarks made by BJP MP Anurag Thakur on social media. In his formal complaint to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, Channi detailed “many objectionable remarks” made by Thakur, some of which were later expunged from the official records by the Lok Sabha Chair. Despite this, PM Modi posted the entire speech on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “must hear” and a “perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance.”
Controversial Remarks in Lok Sabha
During his address in the Lok Sabha, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur made indirect comments about Rahul Gandhi’s caste, stating, “The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census.” This remark immediately sparked reactions. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi responded firmly, “You can insult me as much as you want, but you should not forget that we will get the caste census bill passed in Parliament.” Gandhi’s response highlighted the Congress party’s commitment to pushing for a caste census, an issue of significant political importance.
Uproar in Parliament
The Lok Sabha witnessed significant upheaval following Thakur’s remarks. Gandhi, visibly agitated, asserted that while he felt “insulted,” it did not bother him. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticized Thakur’s behavior, leading to widespread protests among the opposition benches. Gandhi intervened, underscoring that those who advocate for Dalits, adivasis, and backward castes are often maligned. “Whoever raises the issue of Dalits, adivasis, and backward castes in this country are usually abused… And I am happy to take it in,” he said. Emphasizing his focus on the caste census, Gandhi drew a parallel to Arjun’s focus in the Mahabharata.
Heated Exchanges and Allegations
Anurag Thakur, in his rebuttal, listed alleged scams under Congress governments and questioned Gandhi’s stance on OBCs. He said, “Rahul ji, you spoke about ‘halwa’ (sweetmeat). Who had the ‘halwa’ from the Bofors scam, Antriksh-Dewas scam, Commonwealth Games, National Herald, submarine, AgustaWestland, 2G, coal, urea, and fodder scams? Rahul ji, was the ‘halwa’ sweet or tasteless? Some people talk about OBCs, but for them (the Congress) OBC stands for ‘only for brother-in-law commission’.”
Continuing his attack, Thakur referred to Gandhi as the “shahzada” (prince) of the Congress party and accused him of spreading lies. “The ‘shahzada’ from this party will give us ‘gyan’? First, he has to understand what LoP stands for – it is Leader of the Opposition and not leader of propaganda,” Thakur said. He further added, “There is a lot of talk about OBC and caste census. He whose caste is unknown is talking about a census?”
Gandhi’s Defiant Stand
As the opposition benches erupted in protest, Gandhi demanded the opportunity to speak, claiming he had been insulted by Thakur. “You can insult me as much as you want, do it every day. But don’t forget that we (the opposition) will get the bill passed here (in Parliament),” Gandhi asserted. When a treasury bench MP suggested that Gandhi would also have to declare his caste, Thakur sneered, “Politics can’t be done with a borrowed brain. You speak every time you get a note. You speak a little and then, after you get a note, you speak again… What I had said was that those who do not know about caste are talking about a census. I did not take any name, but look who stood up to answer.”
Broader Implications
The Privilege Motion against PM Modi for tweeting expunged remarks underscores a larger battle within Indian politics. It highlights the deep divisions and contentious issues currently shaping the parliamentary landscape. The caste census, a pivotal and sensitive issue, has become a focal point of contention, with both sides using it to rally support and attack opponents. The incident also reflects the broader narrative of political discourse in India, where personal jibes and allegations often overshadow substantive policy discussions.
The Privilege Motion moved by Channi against PM Modi for tweeting expunged remarks has added another layer to the ongoing parliamentary drama. With both sides standing firm, the issue highlights the deep divisions and contentious nature of current Indian politics. The debate over the caste census and the conduct of MPs will likely continue to be a focal point in the days to come. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of this motion and the associated controversies will play a significant role in shaping future parliamentary interactions and political strategies.
(With inputs from agencies)
