Kapil Sibal tweeted, "We respect you Birlaji not because you are a Brahmin".
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal today criticised Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla saying his tweet on the Brahmin community reeks of casteism.
"Om Birla: Speaker Lok Sabha said: "Brahmins are held in high regard by virtue of birth". It is this mindset that caters to a caste-ridden unequal India. We respect you Birlaji not because you are a Brahmin but because you are our Speaker in Lok Sabha," tweeted Mr Sibal.
Mr Birla, who had attended a meeting of the Akhil Brahmin Mahasabha in Rajasthan's Kota on Sunday, had posted some pictures from the event with a caption in Hindi.
"Brahmins have always held a high position in society. Their position is because of the sacrifice and hard work. This is the reason why Brahmins have always been the touch-bearers," the Lok Sabha Speaker had tweeted.
His tweet has stoked a controversy on social media with people cornering him over his tweet and even demanding his resignation.
Om Birla took oath as Lok Sabha Speaker in June this year succeeding eight-term MP Sumitra Mahajan. He had won his first general election in 2014 as BJP leader. He was elected to Rajasthan assembly for three consecutive terms in 2003, 2008 and 2013.
(With Inputs From ANI)