Tuesday’s Lok Sabha session was marked by a heated exchange involving former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The debate erupted during a discussion on the budget when Thakur, representing Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur, launched a strong critique of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, referencing the Emergency era and making remarks about caste.
Thakur’s comments drew sharp responses, particularly from Akhilesh Yadav, who challenged Thakur’s remarks on caste. The debate grew increasingly intense as Yadav questioned the appropriateness of discussing someone’s caste in Parliament.
In response to Thakur’s speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his party colleague’s performance in the House. Modi addressed the controversy surrounding Thakur’s remarks, expressing confusion over the objections and defending Thakur’s references to the “Kamal” (Lotus) symbol, which Modi linked to the Congress party’s historical figures.