Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Rahul Gandhi’s disruptive comment!

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded robustly to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the traditional ‘halwa’ ceremony associated with the Union Budget presentation.

On July 23, Gandhi showcased a poster of the Halwa ceremony conducted at the Ministry of Finance, alleging the exclusion of OBC, tribal, and Dalit officers from the event. Nirmala Sitharaman, while addressing the Lok Sabha during a Budget discussion, defended the ceremony, emphasizing its significance in acknowledging the dedication of staff involved in budget preparation. She stated, “Halwa ceremony represents the dedication of the staff who are locked in till Budget is presented for the confidentiality of the annual financial statement. It is not right to mock this tradition.” Gandhi used the poster to criticize the lack of representation in the ceremony, stating, “Budget ka halwa is being distributed in this photo. I can’t see one OBC, tribal, or Dalit officer in this. Desh ka halwa bant raha hai aur 73% hai hi nahi. Twenty officers prepared the Budget of India. Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai.” He also accused the Union Budget of favoring big businesses and contributing to political monopoly, which he argued undermines the democratic structure and empowers the deep state or agencies. Furthermore, Gandhi highlighted the issue of paper leaks, labeling it the biggest problem for the youth, which he claimed was ignored in the Budget.

Additionally, Gandhi criticized the Budget’s impact on the middle class, recalling how the Prime Minister had previously engaged the middle class during the COVID pandemic by asking them to bang plates and switch on mobile lights. He accused the government of betraying the middle class through the cancellation of indexation and an increase in capital gains tax, describing these measures as a stab in the back and chest of the middle class. Nirmala Sitharaman expressed gratitude to the citizens in her response for granting the Narendra Modi-led government a historic third consecutive term. She highlighted the continued public trust and the Prime Minister’s commitment to leading the country with stability and people-centric policies. “It reaffirms the people’s faith and the commitment with which the Prime Minister leads the country, building stability and developing people-centric policies. We shall all work together to build a Vikasit Bharat by 2047,” she said. Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks underscored the government’s resolve to work towards a developed India by 2047, reflecting a vision of progress and inclusivity despite the criticisms from the opposition.