Kiren Rijiju Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over 'No Dalit Miss India' Remark, Calls Him 'Bal Buddhi'

At the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about the underrepresentation of Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in various sectors of Indian society, including the Miss India pageant.

Gandhi remarked that India cannot thrive without the participation of the "90 per cent" population, pointing out that the list of Miss India contestants lacked diversity in terms of Dalit, Adivasi, or OBC women.

Photo Credit: PTI

He extended this observation to other fields, noting, "Some will talk about cricket or Bollywood. No one will show the cobbler or plumber. Even top anchors in the media are not from the 90%."

He said that he was not trying to be divisive but rather highlighting the absence of participation from a significant portion of the population. "I am only saying that 90 per cent did not have bhagidari and this should be checked," Gandhi added.

In response, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who also represents Arunachal Pradesh as a Member of Parliament, took issue with Gandhi's statements.

Rijiju described Gandhi's comments as something that could only come from a "bal buddhi (juvenile)" mindset. He suggested that Gandhi should conduct a fact-check before making such claims.

Rijiju pointed out that India's current President, Droupadi Murmu, is the nation's first tribal President, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the OBC community. Additionally, Rijiju highlighted that there is a record number of cabinet ministers from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the current government.

Rijiju further criticised Gandhi for implying that reservations should be introduced in areas like the Miss India competition, films, and sports.

He remarked, "Now, He wants reservations in Miss India competitions, films, sports! It is not only issue of 'Bal Budhi,' but people who cheer him are equally responsible too!" Rijiju cautioned against using "childish wit" for entertainment at the expense of backward communities, accusing Gandhi of using divisive tactics.

Rijiju also clarified that governments do not have a role in selecting Miss India contestants, Olympic athletes, or film actors.

Addressing Gandhi directly, Rijiju said, "Rahul Gandhi ji, governments don't select Miss India, governments don't select athletes for Olympics, and governments do not choose actors for films."

He added that while Gandhi warns that the BJP might accuse him of trying to divide the country with his call for a caste census, he seems blind to the fact that major representation of marginalised communities already exists at the highest levels of the Indian government.