Hyderabad: Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha responded to comments made by BJP floor leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, who raised doubts about Rahul Gandhi’s caste. She questioned why the BJP was focusing on this issue and urged the party to first clarify its stance on the caste census. Konda Surekha suggested that the BJP should take a formal position at the national level and approach the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha to address the matter.
Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan after a grievance redressal event called ‘Meet Your Minister,’ Surekha said that those curious about Rahul Gandhi’s caste should directly ask him for answers. She questioned why BJP leaders were so eager to know about his caste and sarcastically suggested that they take a questionnaire on the caste census with them when they meet him to clear their doubts.
Konda Surekha criticized the BJP for creating divisions among castes and religions. She pointed out that the BJP has not provided a clear answer on the caste census issue. Reaffirming her party’s position, she said that conducting a caste census would help reduce caste-based discrimination. She challenged the BJP to conduct such an exercise at the national level to find out everyone’s caste, including that of Rahul Gandhi.
Her comments came after Maheshwar Reddy questioned whether Rahul Gandhi was Hindu or Muslim by referencing his grandfather, Feroze Jehangir Gandhi’s name.