Rahul says 'no dalit' in Miss India; BJP calls him 'Bal Budhi'

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks regarding the absence of Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC women in the Miss India beauty pageant. Gandhi made the comments while addressing a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where he demanded a caste census and questioned the representation of marginalized communities in various sectors, including beauty pageants, Bollywood, and media.

Gandhi claimed that India could not function effectively without the participation of the "90 percent" of the population which includes Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs. He emphasized the need for greater representation of these communities in all areas of society, questioning why they are underrepresented in prestigious platforms like Miss India.

In response, Rijiju, who is the Union Minister of Minority Affairs and a Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, dismissed Gandhi's comments as the product of a "bal buddhi" or juvenile mindset. He urged the Congress leader to fact-check his statements, pointing out that India’s first tribal President, Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who belongs to the OBC category, and a record number of SC/ST ministers in the current cabinet exemplify the increasing representation of marginalized communities in leadership roles.

Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju suggested that the Congress leader was seeking reservations in areas like beauty pageants, films, and sports, which are not determined by the government. He accused Gandhi of using divisive tactics and making light of the issues faced by backward communities.