“Budget ka Halwa…”: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out at 2024 Union Budget, Highlights Lack of Diversity in Budget Preparation

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, launched a scathing attack on the PM Modi-led government in the Lok Sabha over the 2024 Union Budget on Monday. Drawing inferences to Mahabharata's 'chakravyuha' metaphor, Gandhi hit out at the central government. In a move that sparked controversy, Gandhi used visual aids to drive his point home, displaying a photo from the traditional 'halwa ceremony' held at the Ministry of Finance before the Union Budget presentation. The ceremony, which involves the distribution of sweets, symbolizes the commencement of budget preparations.

The presentation of the photo sparked immediate backlash from NDA MPs and drew the ire of Speaker Om Birla. "You are now the leader of opposition. I expect you to maintain the decorum of the House," Birla said to Gandhi. In response, Gandhi quipped, "You have turned the TV off, sir. Whenever I need the camera removed, all I have to do is show the photo. Why are they afraid of the photos?" In reponse, Birla retorted, "I will not allow the poster, this is the wrong way.” Gandhi apologized but continued his critique of the budget, highlighting what he perceived as a lack of diversity in the officers involved in its preparation.

He pointed out that the photo from the ceremony showed no representation of OBC, tribal, or Dalit officers among the 20 individuals preparing the budget. "This photo shows budget ka halwa being distributed. I can't see one OBC or tribal or Dalit officer in this.... Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai (20 officers prepared the budget)," said Leader of the Opposition. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, present in the House, reacted by covering her face with a smile.

Gandhi also took to twitter to further criticize Sitharaman and the budget. “Today in Parliament, when I raised the issue of caste census, the Finance Minister laughed and ridiculed this serious issue. Such a dismissive response to the most important issue related to the lives of 90% of the country's population has exposed the intentions, mindset and motives of the BJP. I want to tell the BJP that we will make caste census a reality at all costs and provide justice to the deprived. INDIA will bring out the X-Ray of the country,” posted the Raebareli MP on “X”.

Speaking on the 2024 Union Budget, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government of trapping Indians in a modern day ‘Chakravyuh’ referencing the Hindu epic Mahabharata while criticizing the recent Union Budget. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the ‘Chakravyuh’ is being run by six people led by PM Modi unleashing an atmosphere of fear in the country. "Abhimanyu was killed by six people. Today, too, there are six people in the centre of 'chakravyuh' - Narendra Modi, (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah, (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat, National Security Advisor, (industrialists) Ambani and Adani," said the Congress leader.