Kerala Congress GST Post Ignites Firestorm: BJP Cries 'Racist Insult' Over Bihar Bidi Remark

A seemingly innocuous social media post by the official Kerala Congress X (formerly Twitter) handle, intended to critique the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, has instead ignited a furious political firestorm across the nation. What began as an attempt to highlight the perceived burden of GST quickly escalated into a major controversy, drawing accusations of racism and casteism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The contentious post featured a graphic contrasting the price of a luxury car (Mercedes) with the cost of a "Bidi made in Bihar," both supposedly subject to GST.

The specific line that drew the most ire stated: "BJP charges GST on even a Bidi made in Bihar." While the intention might have been to emphasize that even common, inexpensive goods are taxed, the phrasing was interpreted by many as a derogatory and stereotypical jab at the state of Bihar and its populace, linking them solely to bidi production in a demeaning manner.

The backlash was swift and severe.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla was among the first and most vocal critics, lambasting the Kerala Congress for what he termed an "insult" to Biharis. Poonawalla did not mince words, accusing the Congress unit of propagating a "downright racist, casteist and hateful" narrative. He highlighted the problematic nature of generalizing an entire state and its people through such a narrow and potentially demeaning lens, especially in a political critique.

Poonawalla went further, alleging that the statement was a "jihadi" attempt to not only demean Biharis but also to create social divisions.

He demanded immediate accountability from the Congress leadership, questioning whether the party's top figures, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, endorsed such "hate-filled" rhetoric. The controversy quickly gained traction, with various political commentators and social media users weighing in on the perceived insensitivity of the post.

In the wake of mounting pressure and widespread condemnation, the Kerala Congress eventually deleted the controversial post.

However, the damage was already done, and the BJP maintained its demand for a formal apology from the Congress high command. Poonawalla specifically called for Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to issue a public apology for what he described as an unpardonable insult directed at the people of Bihar.

Beyond the cultural and social implications, Poonawalla also addressed the factual inaccuracies of the post regarding GST.

He clarified that GST is not levied specifically on "Bidi" as a single item, but rather on the entire tobacco and manufactured tobacco products industry, which includes bidis, at a rate of 28% along with a compensation cess. This correction aimed to debunk the premise of the Kerala Congress's critique while simultaneously underscoring the perceived malicious intent behind their phrasing.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of political communication on social media and the critical importance of careful phrasing.

What may seem like a simple critical observation can quickly spiral into a major controversy when perceived as insensitive or discriminatory, particularly when it touches upon regional identities and socio-economic stereotypes. The Kerala Congress's deleted post has undoubtedly left a sour taste, prompting a wider debate on responsible political discourse.