'No Dalit' in Miss India, says Rahul: BJP debunks claim
What's the story
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about the lack of Dalit, tribal, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) representation among Miss India winners. Reacting to the comments, BJP National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said they were "divisive" and "full of falsehood." "Not long ago, just 2 years back, a tribal girl from Chhattisgarh, Miss Riya Ekka, won the Miss India title," Bhandari wrote on X.
Twitter Post
Tribal girl from Chhattisgarh won Miss India title: Bhandari
Not long ago, just 2 years back, a tribal girl from Chhattisgarh, Miss Riya Ekka, won the Miss India title.
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) August 25, 2024
Rahul Gandhi's plan is divisive and it's full of falsehood pic.twitter.com/vMJXGRwBwX
Counter-argument
Not only issue of Bal Budhi: Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also joined in criticizing Gandhi, suggesting that he was advocating for reservations in areas like Miss India competitions, films, and sports. "It is not only issue of Bal Budhi (childish intelligence) but people who cheer him are - equally responsible too!" Rijiju said. Rijiju further highlighted the representation of marginalized communities within the government itself.
Representation
Rijiju highlights representation of marginalized communities
The BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India pointed out that President Droupadi Murmu is India's first tribal President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from an OBC background, and there are a record number of cabinet ministers from SC and ST communities. "Childish wit may be good for entertainment but don't make fun of backward communities in your divisive tactics," Rijiju wrote in Hindi on X.
Allegation
Gandhi alleges BJP of dividing country over caste census
Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, stated on Saturday that India cannot run without the participation of "90 percent" of the population. "I have checked the list of Miss India, which did not have any Dalit, adivasi (tribal) or OBC (Other Backward Classes) women. Some will talk about cricket or Bollywood. No one will show the cobbler or plumber. Even top anchors in the media are not from the 90 per cent," Gandhi told reporters.