Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has ignited a new controversy with his provocative remarks about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's caste and community. Patil, who represents the Bijapur City Assembly Constituency, has called for an official investigation to determine Gandhi's true lineage, questioning whether he is of Muslim or Christian heritage.
In his comments, Patil suggested that Gandhi’s claims about his caste and community are dubious. "Today, Rahul Gandhi goes to America and makes anti-national statements. He wants to conduct a caste survey, but he doesn’t even know which caste he was born into. He doesn’t know if he was born to Muslims or Christians. That should be investigated," Patil asserted, adding a challenge to Gandhi's claimed Brahmin identity. "If he claims to be a Brahmin, which Brahmin does he belong to? Is he a Brahmin who wears the Janivara (sacred thread)? What kind of Brahmin is he?" Patil also disparaged Gandhi, likening him to a "country pistol" and suggesting his influence would be ineffectual.
This latest controversy follows Rahul Gandhi's staunch support for a nationwide caste census. The Congress leader has made it a significant part of his party’s platform, promising to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic caste census if elected, aimed at accurately documenting and addressing the conditions of various castes and sub-castes throughout India.
Patil's comments are part of a broader pattern of controversial statements from him. In December 2023, he made headlines by claiming that Jawaharlal Nehru was not India’s first Prime Minister, instead asserting that Subhash Chandra Bose held that position. Earlier in August 2023, Patil predicted the collapse of the Congress government within 6-7 months due to internal conflict and corruption, suggesting that the BJP would exploit these issues. Additionally, Patil made divisive remarks comparing Muslims to Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysore, and urged people not to vote for Muslim leaders.
These remarks come at a time when the debate over caste identity and politics in India is particularly charged. Earlier in July, BJP MP Anurag Thakur had also made veiled criticisms of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the caste census issue, questioning Gandhi’s own caste identity. This led to widespread criticism from members of the INDIA bloc, which includes opposition parties allied against the BJP.
The controversy has stirred significant debate about caste identity and the political implications of such discussions in India. As the political landscape remains highly contentious, Patil’s statements further intensify the focus on caste-related issues and their impact on the upcoming elections.
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