Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh has seen him yapping about his claims of the Narendra Modi-led Central government being unfriendly towards OBCs and Dalits. During a public address on 21February 2024, he asserted that the Ram Mandir is frequented only by prominent figures like PM Modi, Ambani, and Adani, with no representation from backward classes or the Dalit community.
Gandhi’s speech took an aggressive turn when he angrily questioned a journalist about his name (caste) and the ownership of the media organization he represented.
Shiv Prasad Yadav, a journalist with India News, asked a direct question about the absence of Priyanka Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. Instead of responding to the inquiry, Rahul Gandhi’s reaction took an alarming turn as he visibly showed agitation and with his signaling leading to the journalist to face physical assault. He started yelling at him “Naam Batao, Naam Batao” (Tell me your name) with the crowd starting to beat him up.
“You are from the media? What is your name? You are Shiv Prasad. What is the name of your owner? What’s the name of your owner? What’s the name? Tell me the name. Tell me the name.” Rahul Gandhi asked the journalist in an attempt to identify his caste.
With crowd getting agitated and turning hostile, they clashed with the journalist and apparently started to beat him.
Upon seeing the crowd getting into a fight with the journalist, a visibly agitated Rahul Gandhi can be hear yelling “Oye! Don’t beat him up!) Don’t beat him. Don’t beat him. Don’t beat him.” and further went on to ask “Is he an OBC? No! Is he a Dalit? No!”
It has now come to light that the Indian News journalist Shiv Prasad indeed belongs to the Yadav community which is part of Other Backward Class (OBC).
Journalist Shiv Prasad Yadav, an OBC, was beaten by Congress workers in front of Rahul Gandhi because Rahul got aggressive.
Rahul talks about OBC Nyay, calls them 50% wale Babbar Sher and then Congress beat them.
Is this how Congress treats Yadavs of UP? pic.twitter.com/JrcISdbG8z
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) February 21, 2024
Furthering his narrative, Gandhi revived the false claim that President Draupadi Murmu was deliberately excluded from the Ram Mandir inauguration due to her Adivasi background. Contrary to his assertion, President Murmu was formally invited by a delegation from the Ram Temple Trust on January 12. She expressed her intent to visit Ayodhya at a later date and even conveyed her congratulations to the Prime Minister for the temple’s inauguration on January 21.
Gandhi criticized the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few, alleging that the majority, including Dalits, backward classes, Adivasis, and the poor, lacked representation in various sectors. He also took a swipe at the opening of the Ram Temple, claiming it was attended only by the rich and famous.
The BJP reacted strongly to Gandhi’s comments about young men in Varanasi being drunk and lying on roads, connecting it to the government’s focus on influential individuals at the Ram Mandir. Union Minister Smriti Irani condemned Gandhi, stating that he had no right to insult the people of Kashi and the youth of Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the state’s global recognition for its skilled and talented youth. Irani expressed skepticism about expecting an apology from Rahul Gandhi, describing him as a shameless individual.