Congress backs nationwide OBC movement, 50% reservation cap, inspired by 'successful' Telangana caste census model
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Advisory Council for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Department unanimously passed the Bengaluru Declaration, emphasising the Telangana model of caste census (SEEEP) as a role model for a nationwide census.
The declaration was made at the council's first meeting, chaired by Anil Jaihind and hosted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru.
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The council passed three resolutions moved by Siddaramaiah, Ashok Gehlot and Anil Jaihind to further strengthen the Congress' resolve to launch a nationwide "OBC movement".
During a press meet that followed the OBC council meeting, Siddaramaiah stated that the caste census had become imperative as there was a greater need for social justice and an egalitarian society.
The council has unanimously passed a resolution demanding a national level caste census by the Census Commission of India (Office of the Registrar General of Census Commission), and said that the Congress party would launch an intense nationwide campaign for a national-level caste census, modelled after Telangana's "successful initiative", which covered 96 per cent of the state's population.
"The census should include social, economic, educational, employment, and political aspects of each individual and caste," it stated.
A second resolution sought to breach the 50 per cent cap on reservations to ensure suitable representation for OBCs in education, service, politics, and other areas.
The council also resolved to push for reservations in private educational institutions as per Article 15(5) of the Constitution.
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Earlier, the Council expressed gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for his "courageous stance" on social justice for marginalised sections of society—particularly the backward classes.
"Nyay Yoddha Rahul Gandhi's efforts led to the Manuvadi Modi government surrendering to the demand for a caste census in India," said Siddaramaiah, reiterating the Council's sentiments.
As part of its nationwide campaign and action plan, the "Congress OBC Leadership Bhagidari Nyaya Sammelan" will be hosted on July 25, 2025 at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
The Sammelan will be inaugurated by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LOP Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding address.
The council will hold regular workshops on the OBC issue, including caste census in every state capital with the OBC leaders of the party.
A public rally will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi in every state capital, and as part of the OBC outreach, the party will reach out to all OBC communities across the country and build leadership both at the organisational and electoral level, aligned with the Congress ideology.
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The OBC party rank and cadre would be trained to strengthen public discourse on the lines of social justice.
The meeting also thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for hosting the first meeting of the council and put on record their appreciation for his "commitment" to the upliftment of the oppressed classes as "unparalleled", and called his "beacon of hope" towards achieving the final goal of social justice.
"Siddaramaiah ji is a great leader of masses, and under the courageous leadership of Nyaya Yoddha Rahul Gandhi ji, Siddaramaiah ji is destined to make historic contribution to the Congress' Backward Class movement in the country," said the note of thanks at the meeting.
India