‘Whose Ancestors Call OBC People Buddhu…’: Anurag Thakur’s Swipe At Opposition Over ‘Caste Census’ Remark

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday reacted to the ongoing row over his speech on caste census saying the entire ecosystem started yelling because some people’s sense of entitlement got hurt due to his remarks.

“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, ‘Budhu’…their ancestors used to make excuses for not giving equality to Dalits and tribals…” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the opposition Congress moved a Privilege Motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for endorsing Thakur’s comments about Rahul Gandhi’s caste in Lok Sabha.

Congress Jalandhar MP Charanjeet Singh Channi submitted a Privilege complaint to the Secretary General, Lok Sabha. “The PM tweeting the remarks that had been expunged from the proceedings of Lok Sabha clearly amounts to a breach of privilege motion against the PM, and Irequest you to please admit my motion and permit me to move the same, request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Prime Minister,” the notice by Channi reads.

PM Modi on Wednesday shared the video of Thakur’s speech, calling it a ‘must hear’. The Congress then decided to move a privilege motion complaint against the prime minister.

Several opposition leaders, including SP’s Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP Kanimozhi attacked Thakur asking how can they ask someone’s caste.

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Wednesday said the recent spat between the opposition and treasury benches in Lok Sabha over a caste remark was a “drama” and an “attempt to deceive the OBC community”. Mayawati said both BJP and Congress have a history of remaining “fiercely anti-OBC”, so they cannot be trusted.

The row began during the debate on caste census, a campaign being spearheaded by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The uproar began when Thakur, in his speech, said, “The one whose caste is not known is talking about the census.” The remark was seen as a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi.

Without mentioning names, Thakur said a few people are “accidental Hindus” and their knowledge of the Mahabharat is also accidental.

Gandhi responded to the remark by saying, “Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit, and the backward, is abused. I will happily accept these abuses… Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him.”

He added, “You can insult me as much as you like but we will pass the caste census in Parliament.”

(With inputs from agencies)