'Never accused BJP of...': Mallikarjun Kharge challenges caste narrative in VP Jagdeep Dhankar's remarks

Opposition MPs suspended: Congress President Kharge confronted the hypothetical situation of a Dalit facing such comments and highlighted his own experiences.

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Edited By: Prateek Gautam
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Opposition MPs suspended: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticised Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar for injecting a caste angle into the protest by suspended Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. Kharge, addressing a protest organised by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) at Jantar Mantar, questioned Dhankar's attempt to give a caste colour to a significant issue despite holding a constitutional position.

Constitutional Position and Caste Connotations

Kharge, without directly naming Dhankar, expressed concern over a constitutional authority introducing caste considerations into a protest matter. He confronted the hypothetical situation of a Dalit facing such comments and highlighted his own experiences, emphasising that he never accused the BJP of preventing a Dalit from speaking during disruptions in Parliament.

Intimidation Tactics by BJP Government

The Congress President denounced the BJP government's alleged use of enforcement agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax to intimidate opposition leaders. Kharge asserted that such tactics would not deter or scare them, expressing confidence in the united front presented by the entire opposition.

Dig at PM Modi's Electoral Claims

Kharge took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi's ambitious claim of winning 400 seats in the next General Elections. He cited instances where Modi faced rejection by the people in Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh despite extensive campaigning. Kharge reminded Modi that the same people who brought him to power also possess the power to remove him.

The protest at Jantar Mantar not only addresses the suspension of MPs but also challenges the narrative surrounding the protests, emphasising that the constitutional positions should remain impartial and refrain from introducing divisive elements like caste into the discourse.