Congress leader Udit Raj has publicly supported controversial remarks made by former White House trade advisor Peter Navarro regarding the Indian caste system and its alleged role in the country's economic structure. Navarro's comments, made on Fox News, accused "Brahmins" of profiting from India's purchase and resale of Russian oil, sparking considerable debate and backlash.

Udit Raj, a prominent Dalit leader and former Member of Parliament, stated that Navarro's claims were "factually correct". He argued that upper-caste corporate houses predominantly control the oil refining sector in India and are the primary beneficiaries of discounted Russian crude oil, while ordinary citizens do not experience the economic advantages. Raj further asserted that due to entrenched discrimination, it could take centuries for backward castes and Dalits to establish a significant presence in the corporate world.

Navarro's original statement described India as a "laundromat for the Kremlin" and alleged that "Brahmins" were "profiteering at the expense of the Indian people". He also criticized India's trade policies, calling it the "maharaja of tariffs," and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with Russia and China. These remarks have been widely condemned as casteist and insensitive, with some viewing them as an attempt to provoke tensions between India and the United States.

The term "Brahmins" in the American context sometimes refers to wealthy elites, drawing a parallel to the "Boston Brahmins". However, many critics argue that Navarro's use of the term in relation to India was a deliberate and potentially divisive reference to the caste system.

Reactions to Navarro's comments and Udit Raj's support have been varied. Some political figures, like Priyanka Chaturvedi, have criticized Navarro's remarks as a "senile meltdown" and condemned the use of caste in a geopolitical context. Others, such as TMC leaders Sagarika Ghose and Saket Gokhale, have suggested that Navarro might have been alluding to economic elites rather than specifically targeting the Brahmin caste. BJP's Dinesh Sharma called the comments factually wrong and culturally insensitive.

Udit Raj has a history of speaking out against caste-based discrimination. He has often highlighted the challenges faced by Dalits and other marginalized communities in India. In the past, he has also criticized the BJP for its alleged anti-Dalit stance. His support for Navarro's statement aligns with his long-standing advocacy for social justice and equality.