Comment on Dalit, tribals — Rahul Gandhi should jog his memory: BJP

New Delhi, August 25

The BJP today came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks “that he could not find any Dalit or tribal in the list of Miss India pageant winners”.

“How much will you lower the level of a serious discourse Mr Gandhi? Every issue has its dignity. I do not question your right to raise the issue, but if you are talking of empowering OBCs, don’t you think you need to maintain some sanctity and maryada in this debate?” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad commented on Gandhi’s Saturday remarks made at a seminar in Prayagraj where the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha was stressing lack of representation to the marginalised sections of society. In this context, Gandhi mentioned the Miss India list.

The BJP today said Rahul Gandhi should refresh his memory because many women from the minority communities had won the pageant. Prasad listed the first Miss World from India - Rita Faria, a Christian; Diana Hayden, also a Christian, to make his point and said there were winners from the Sikh community also.

“I wonder from which prism Rahul Gandhi wants to view the OBC issue. He should not demean this dialogue. Let him remain caught in discussing beauty pageants. Our thought is that President Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal President of India, has left her mark in the world with her dignity, that former President (Ramnath Kovind), a Dalit, has touched everyone with his simplicity,” the BJP leader said.

He said the BJP would engage Rahul once he comes out of the beauty pageant thought process.

Every issue has its dignity

How much will you lower the level of a serious discourse Mr Gandhi? Every issue has its dignity. I do not question your right to raise the issue, but if you are talking of empowering OBCs, don’t you think you need to maintain some sanctity and maryada in this debate? — Ravi Shankar Prasad