Opposition Condemns Thakur's Budget Speech as Casteist, Demands Caste Census

The Opposition criticized BJP MP Anurag Thakur's Budget speech as an affront to Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs. Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of breaching parliamentary privilege by sharing the speech online. The Lok Sabha saw protests demanding a caste census in response to Thakur's controversial remarks about Rahul Gandhi's caste.

The Opposition on Wednesday criticized BJP MP Anurag Thakur's Budget speech, calling it an insult to Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs. Congress asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged a ''serious breach of parliamentary privilege'' by sharing the speech on X.

The Lok Sabha witnessed adjournment till noon amid protests from opposition members over Thakur's remarks and their demand for a caste census. Thakur's comments on Tuesday, suggesting that those whose caste is not known talk about caste census, led to uproar directed at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Amidst the row, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned Thakur's reference to Gandhi's caste during the Budget discussion in Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Modi praised Thakur's speech, calling it a ''must hear,'' which Ramesh claimed breached parliamentary norms.

(With inputs from agencies.)