Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an ugly verbal spat between the Opposition and treasury benches after BJP MP Anurag Thakur commented on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s caste and the Congress leader refuted his statement. 

While questioning the Congress’ stand on caste census, the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur made remarks on caste – jiski jaat ka pata nahi janganana ki baat karata hai (One, whose caste is known, is advocating for the census), which led to an uproar with Congress members stooping into the Well of the Lok Sabha.

The Leader of the Opposition interrupted the BJP leader’s speech to say that he can insult him as much as he wants. “But you should not forget that we will get the caste census bill passed in Parliament,” Rahul said.

“One who speaks for backwards, tribals and SC/ST gets abused and I’m okay with it. I will remain firm like Arjun’s aim at the fish on the caste-based census,” said Gandhi.

Continuing his attack on Gandhi for his “chakravyuh” jibe at the BJP-led government a day earlier, Thakur cited purported portions from a book authored by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to hit out at successive Congress governments since 1947 and alleged that Gandhi has misinterpreted his position of LoP as “leader of propaganda”.

Without taking any names, Thakur said a few people are “accidental Hindus” and their knowledge of the Mahabharat is also accidental. Meanwhile, Jagdambika Pal — presiding over the Lok Sabha proceedings — was trying to bring order in the House as MPs continued to raise their voices against the BJP leader and said Thakur’s remarks on caste stand expunged.

Another war of words took place in the Lower House and it was between Anurag Thakur and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over the Agnipath scheme. Yadav accused the Centre of initially orchestrating supportive X posts from major industrialists to promote the Agnipath scheme.

Thakur then responded by emphasising on his military service. “I have served as a captain. Akhilesh ji, don’t just preach. Sitting with Rahul Gandhi has made you accustomed to spreading rumours and lies.”

Yadav, in return, sharpened his attack at Thakur and said that his defensiveness came from his political insecurity. “Perhaps you are more troubled because you are no longer a minister, and you won’t understand our pain. Your distress is visible on your face,” the SP chief said.