New Delhi: In a fiery exchange during the Lok Sabha budget discussion, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the caste composition of officials involved in preparing the Union Budget. The Finance Minister accused Gandhi of attempting to sow division by focusing on caste and minority representation within the Finance Ministry’s team.
Gandhi had previously questioned the representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) among the officials who prepared the budget, highlighting the lack of diversity during the traditional Halwa Ceremony. He alleged that the process and ceremony involved only a select group, suggesting an exclusion of broader Indian demographics.
Sitharaman countered these allegations by defending the traditional practices surrounding the budget’s preparation. “Since when did this become a photo event?” she asked, referring to the Halwa Ceremony, an Indian tradition symbolising the finalisation of the budget documents. She noted that the tradition had been in place during the Congress-led government in 2013-14, without similar questions being raised about the caste and community representation then.
The Finance Minister criticised Gandhi’s focus on caste, stating, “Asking about the caste of the officials preparing the budget and those involved in the Halwa Ceremony is a conspiracy to divide society into many classes.” She also pointed out that even during critical times, such as the recent budget preparation, Finance Ministry officials showed commitment, staying in the North Block for days without attending to personal emergencies, highlighting their dedication beyond such divisive concerns.
Sitharaman further challenged the Congress Party’s history on caste issues, questioning the inclusivity within the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, both of which have been associated with past Congress leadership. She implied that the Congress Party had not consistently prioritised representation from marginalised communities in their own institutions.
The exchange underscored the continuing debate over social equity and representation within India’s government institutions. Rahul Gandhi’s comments had spotlighted the issue of inclusivity, particularly questioning the lack of representation from Dalit and tribal communities in significant national processes. He emphasised the need for diversity among the officials who crafted the nation’s budget, stating, “20 officials have prepared the budget together, but none of them are Dalits or tribals.”
As the debate over budget preparation and representation continues, it highlights broader questions about social equity and the role of government in ensuring inclusivity in all facets of public life. The Finance Minister’s rebuttal and the Leader of Opposition’s concerns reflect the complexities and sensitivities surrounding these issues in India’s political landscape.
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