Arun Halder, the former chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), whose term ended in February, has voiced his support for BJP leader Anurag Thakur. Thakur recently sparked a major controversy by questioning the caste of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Anurag Thakur Wasn’t Wrong.
Arun Halder Defends Anurag Thakur in Gandhi Caste Controversy
Arun Halder, the former chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), recently supported BJP leader Anurag Thakur in a contentious debate surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s caste. Halder, whose term ended in February, shared his perspective in an interview with News18, stating that he found nothing wrong with Thakur’s question regarding Gandhi’s caste. Halder further alleged that Gandhi’s “character” is to “divide the country.”
Questioning Identity
“We all have our identities. If there is a question mark over someone’s identity, it’s not wrong to ask. Let him express his identity, why is he hiding it? We all have our caste identities. Today, questions are being raised about his (real) name and his caste. Why would one refuse to tell his lineage?” Halder asked. This statement highlights Halder’s belief that individuals should openly share their identities, particularly in a political context where transparency is valued.
Historical Context
Halder also delved into the historical background of the Gandhi family to support Thakur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had shared Thakur’s speech online. Halder asserted, “You need to look at his past. Each and every person in his family had a habit of conning and fooling people… Instead of making a hue and cry (over Thakur’s Parliament speech), they should introspect their family lineage first and find out their actual family history. They (Gandhis) cannot come out in the open with it because, if they do so, their betrayal of the nation will be proven.”
Controversial Claims
When pressed for more details, Halder elaborated that his comments referred to lingering questions about the Gandhi surname’s spelling and the different faiths practiced by some Gandhi’s in the past. He suggested that the Gandhi’s reluctance to openly discuss their lineage might be tied to a history of deception, stating that revealing their true family history would expose their “betrayal of the nation.”
Halder’s remarks add a complex layer to the ongoing debate, emphasizing the importance of transparency in political identities while also invoking historical grievances against the Gandhi family. His support for Thakur and Modi underscores a broader political narrative within the BJP, challenging the opposition and calling for greater scrutiny of their leaders’ backgrounds.
CASTE ROW BACKGROUND
Caste Controversy Ignites Political Firestorm: Anurag Thakur’s Comments and BJP’s Aggressive Stance
The latest political row erupted when the Congress criticized the traditional halwa ceremony preceding the budget presentation. Rahul Gandhi raised questions about the caste of officers seen with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, leading to a moment where Sitharaman was visibly dismayed.
Anurag Thakur’s Response to Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks
In response to Gandhi’s comments, BJP leader Anurag Thakur delivered a provocative speech, saying, “The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census.” This remark was interpreted as a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi, implying that Gandhi was not transparent about his own caste identity. Thakur’s comments stirred a significant political controversy, with Gandhi leveraging the statement politically. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, a colleague in the INDIA bloc, rebutted Thakur’s remarks on the floor of the House, further intensifying the debate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Strategic Move
As Congress and opposition parties united to target the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strategically shared Thakur’s speech on social media, signaling the BJP’s readiness to confront the opposition aggressively. Modi labeled the speech a’must hear,’ prompting the Congress to file a privilege motion complaint against him.
Historical Grievances and Thakur’s Retort
Thakur did not stop there. He invoked historical grievances, reminding everyone of Nehru’s infamous ‘Buddhu’ statement. He said, “Some people’s sense of entitlement got hurt because of the statement I made. The result was that the entire ecosystem started yelling. They feel that only they can ask questions because they are privileged. They are those whose ancestors used to call backward classes people ‘buddhu.’ Their ancestors used to make excuses for not giving equality to Dalits and tribals.”
Thakur’s comments highlight a deep-seated tension between the BJP and the Congress over caste issues. He framed the debate as one of privilege versus transparency, accusing the Congress of holding onto a sense of entitlement while neglecting the rights of backward classes, Dalits, and tribals.
Arun Halder’s Support for Thakur
Adding fuel to the fire, Arun Halder, former chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), publicly supported Thakur. In an interview with News18, Halder asserted that he sensed nothing wrong in Thakur’s question about Gandhi’s caste. Halder alleged that Gandhi’s “character” is to “divide the country.”
“We all have our identities. If there is a question mark over someone’s identity, it’s not wrong to ask. Let him express his identity; why is he hiding it? We all have our caste identities. Today, questions are being raised about his (real) name and his caste. Why would one refuse to tell his lineage?” Halder questioned. He delved into the historical background of the Gandhi family to bolster Thakur’s and Modi’s positions, accusing the Gandhis of a long-standing pattern of deception.
BJP’s Assertive Approach
The BJP’s aggressive stance in this controversy underscores a broader political strategy to challenge the Congress’s historical narrative and call for greater transparency. By highlighting the Gandhi family’s alleged past deceptions and questioning their caste identity, the BJP aims to turn the debate on its head and position itself as the champion of the marginalized.
Conclusion
The caste controversy involving Rahul Gandhi and Anurag Thakur has sparked a significant political firestorm, with deep historical grievances and accusations of privilege versus transparency coming to the forefront. As the BJP and Congress continue to clash over these issues, the debate is likely to shape the political landscape in the coming months, emphasizing the importance of caste identity and historical narratives in Indian politics.
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