Rahul Gandhi calls for caste census, questions Dalit representation in power structure.
Patna, February 5, 2025: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again emphasized the need for a caste census, arguing that Dalits, backward classes, and tribals remain largely absent from the country’s power structure despite political representation.
While addressing a program organized on the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Jaglal Chaudhary, Gandhi took aim at the ruling BJP and RSS, accusing them of attempting to undermine the Constitution and denying backward communities their rightful participation.
Rahul Gandhi pointed out the lack of Dalit participation in power:
Rahul Gandhi questioned the representation of Dalits, backward classes, and tribals in key sectors such as education, health, corporate business, and the judiciary.
He argued that merely giving political tickets to candidates from these communities does not equate to true empowerment.
Gandhi pushed for a comprehensive caste census, similar to Telangana’s model, rather than the one conducted in Bihar. He claimed that a proper caste survey would help in assessing the true socio-economic conditions of Dalits, minorities, and backward classes.
Economic and Bureaucratic Exclusion of Dalits:
He cited statistics, claiming that, “None of India’s 200 biggest companies have a Dalit, OBC, or tribal leader at the top. 90 people decide the national budget, but only three of them are Dalits. In a Rs. 100 government budget, only Rs.1 of decisions are influenced by Dalits and Rs. 6 by OBC despite OBC participation in the country being above 50%.
Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling BJP government of controlling the media by funding big companies that lack diversity in their leadership.
He claimed that “Not a single Dalit is present in the ownership of major media houses.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Attack on BJP and RSS:
He accused the BJP and RSS of working to dilute the Constitution, saying they do not directly attack it but slowly erode its principles by denying true representation to backward communities.
After landing at Patna Airport, Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan and consoled him for the untimely loss of his son.
During this, RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui and Bihar Pradesh Congress President Akhilesh Singh were present.
This visit is seen as a strategic outreach to strengthen Congress’s social justice narrative in Bihar ahead of upcoming political battles.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have sparked a debate over caste representation and the necessity of a caste census.
The BJP is likely to counter these claims by highlighting its welfare schemes for backward communities, while opposition parties may rally behind the caste census demand to consolidate their support among OBC and Dalit voters.
Also Read: Vijay Kumar Chaudhary criticizes Rahul Gandhi ahead of his Patna Visit scheduled on February 5.
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