'Rahul Gandhi will have to reveal his caste if...': Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also jumped into the debate on Rahul Gandhi's caste, which started in the Lok Sabha recently. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly criticised Rahul Gandhi, stating that Gandhi previously asked journalists about their caste but now has an issue when people inquire about his. 

Sarma questioned how a caste census could be conducted without asking about caste, adding that Gandhi had said he would conduct the caste census but would not reveal his own caste. 

On Friday (August 2, 2024) in Jharkhand, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Earlier Rahul Gandhi used to ask journalists about their caste. Now when people ask him about his caste, he has a problem with it. Will the caste census be conducted without asking about caste?... He says I will get the caste census done but will not reveal my caste, how will this happen?... Rahul Gandhi will have to reveal his caste if the census is conducted."

Also Read: Gaurav Gogoi condemns BJP's remarks on caste census, demands respect for marginalized communities

Earlier on August 1, BJP's Sambit Patra targeted Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his objections to Anurag Thakur's apparent remarks on Gandhi's caste in the Lok Sabha. Patra said Thakur, during his speech, did not name anyone but only one person felt bad and the Congress leaders created a ruckus in the House. 

The Puri MP said that Gandhi had once asked how many Dalits and Adivasis were in the High Courts. "Rahul Gandhi asks about the caste of judges, and you ask about the caste of administrative officers and soldiers. You say that India has the right to know which caste has the most representation in the army, and which religion has how much representation in the army. You feel insulted if your caste is asked, but you can ask about the caste of everyone in India," he said. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday is set to attend multiple programmes of the BJP in Jharkhand with an eye on the assembly elections due later this year, a party leader said.

Sarma, who is the co-in charge of Jharkhand BJP, will address a party meeting in Jamshedpur, said BJP's city unit president Sudhansu Ojha.

"We have begun preparations to ensure the party's victory in the assembly polls and the visit of the firebrand leader will infuse new energy among workers. He will help in chalking out strategy," Ojha said.