Agency(New Delhi): In a robust response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent critiques, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi articulated his dedication to conducting a caste census in India, stating that it is his life’s mission to ensure social justice for the underprivileged—including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes—who make up 90% of the nation’s population. Gandhi’s declaration came during the Samajik Nyay Sammelan held in the national capital, organized by the Samruddha Bharat Foundation.
Gandhi argued that addressing the needs of these groups is not merely a political stance but a lifelong commitment to justice. He criticized the current administration for ignoring the socioeconomic disparities that affect the vast majority of Indians. He highlighted that the first action of a Congress-led government would be to initiate a caste census to accurately assess and address these inequalities.
Describing the Congress party’s manifesto as revolutionary, Gandhi took a jab at Modi, suggesting that the prime minister’s disparagement of the manifesto indicates his panic over its progressive proposals. Gandhi also addressed economic issues, pointing out that government concessions worth Rs 16 lakh crore have disproportionately benefited just 22 individuals, and he proposed reallocating some of this wealth to support the broader population.
Gandhi also touched on the broader implications of a caste census, envisaging it as an extensive socio-economic survey that would reveal institutional biases and promote equity across all sectors of Indian society. He challenged his detractors, questioning how those who claim to be patriots could oppose such a necessary measure if they truly want India to compete on a global scale, particularly against nations like China.
In his speech, Gandhi also countered portrayals of him as a non-serious politician, citing his involvement in significant initiatives such as the Land Acquisition Bill and MGNREGA, as well as his advocacy on issues like the Niyamgiri tribal rights and Bhatta Parsaul land protests.
As the political discourse heats up in the wake of the upcoming elections, Gandhi’s focus on a caste census as a tool for achieving social justice has set a clear ideological battleground between the Congress and the BJP, centering on how best to address India’s deep-rooted social and economic disparities.