Modi shares Anurag Thakur's caste speech; Protest over caste reference against Rahul; Congress moves Privilege motion

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha came to a standstill amid protests over BJP MP Anurag Thakur's caste remark against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The Congress issued a breach of privilege notice against PM Modi for sharing Thakur's controversial speech on social media.

Modi shared the video of Thakur's speech with the caption, "This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance."

Jalandhar MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi issued a breach of privilege notice to the Lok Sabha secretary, pointing out that the PM had shared the speech which the Speaker had removed from the records. The notice said that by sharing the defamatory speech, the Prime Minister had gravely violated the parliamentary privilege and it was offensive and unconstitutional.

Demand for Anurag Thakur's apology created an uproar in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Congress raised the issue as soon as the House met, but Speaker Om Birla did not consider the issue. During the question and answer session, Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's speech was interrupted by ruckus. Condemning the protests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Congress was trying to weaken the country.

Nobody's caste is asking in the Parliament...He (Anurag Thakur) said this purposely to insult him (Rahul Gandhi). PM Modi should know where to speak and who to defend.

- Mallikarjuna Kharge, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha