Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge responded sharply to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday after Shah criticized him for linking his health to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking to social media platform X, Kharge suggested that Shah should focus on pressing issues like the situation in Manipur and the need for a caste census.
Kharge referenced a survey conducted by the BJP-led NDA government, highlighting that 92 percent of urban sewer and septic tank cleaners belong to the SC, ST, and OBC categories. He accused the BJP of opposing the caste census, asserting that it would expose the true demographics of those engaged in various livelihoods.
“The Home Minister should concentrate on serious matters such as Manipur and the Caste Census,” Kharge stated. “A survey by your own government shows that 92 percent of the workers cleaning urban sewers and septic tanks come from SC, ST, and OBC categories. The BJP opposes the caste census because it would reveal the economic and social statuses of different groups and the targeted benefits they should receive from government schemes. The Congress party is committed to conducting the caste census, and we will make it happen.”
Earlier, Shah had criticized Kharge, labeling his remarks during a rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district as “distasteful and disgraceful.” This comment followed Kharge’s statement that he would stay alive until Modi was removed from power, made while he felt unwell during his address at the rally.
