NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Monday shared a video in which he can be seen enjoying a meal with a Dalit couple in their home in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur and learning about Dalit cuisine and the issues faced by the community.
Rahul had been invited by the couple Ajay Tukaram Sanade and Anjana Tukaram Sanade to their home. In the video, the former Congress chief is seen interacting with Shahu Patole, the author of ‘Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada’, who accompanied him. He also tried his hands on preparing ‘harbharyachi bhaji’ (a vegetable dish made from chickpea greens) and ‘tuar dal’ with brinjal.
While cooking, Rahul had a freewheeling conversation with the Sanade family, who shared their experiences on caste-based discrimination and the importance of Dalit cuisine. Patole shared insights about his book with the Opposition leader.
Rahul expressed his interest in understanding Dalit cuisine and its social and political significance. Quoting Shahu Patole, he said, “nobody knows what Dalits eat”. He mentioned Patole’s book, saying it aims to bring visibility to Dalit culinary practices.
“Even today, very few people know about the Dalit kitchen. As Shahu Patoleji said: ‘No one knows what Dalits eat.’ Curious about what they eat, how they cook, and what its social and political significance is, I spent an afternoon with Ajay Tukaram Sanade and Anjana Tukaram Sanade,” Rahul tweeted.
The Congress MP underlined that the Constitution gives participation and rights to the Dalits. “But true inclusion and equality of all in society will be possible only when every Indian makes efforts with the feeling of brotherhood in his heart,” he said.
Rahul’s visit to Maharashtra comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly poll, which is likely to be held later this year.