'One Shortcoming Remained In Congress': Rahul Gandhi Admits Falling Short On OBC Issues, Urges Caste-Based Census

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday called for a national caste survey based on the model followed in Telangana, calling it a “milestone for social justice in the country.”

Speaking at the “Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan” organised by the Congress, Gandhi said that while the party had done good work on issues related to Dalits, tribals, and women, such as the Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, the Tribal Bill, and the Niyamgiri struggle, it had fallen short when it came to the OBC community.

“One shortcoming remained in the Congress party and my work,” he said. “I didn’t protect the OBC community the way I should have. The reason is that I didn’t deeply understand the OBC issues at that time.” He added that the problems of Dalits are more visible and easier to understand, while those of OBCs often remain hidden. “If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct,” he said.

Gandhi said the Congress now wants the next national caste survey to follow the “Telangana model,” which he called a “milestone for social justice.” He said the party would push for this model in Parliament. He pointed out that around 90 per cent of the country’s population, Dalits, OBCs, tribals, and minorities, remain largely excluded from important decision-making processes, including the preparation of the Union Budget.

“In the country, the population of Dalits, backward classes, tribals, and minorities together constitutes about 90 per cent. But when the halwa was being distributed after the budget was prepared, there was no one from this 90 per cent population present,” he said. “You are the ones making the halwa, but they are the ones eating it. We are not saying that they shouldn’t eat the halwa, but at the very least, you should get some too,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi Criticises The Lack Of OBC Representation In Key Areas

Gandhi also criticised the lack of OBC representation in key areas like the media and corporate sector, and reiterated the need for a caste census to assess and ensure fair participation. He said data from the Telangana caste survey revealed that SC, ST, and OBC communities were largely excluded from receiving large-scale financial packages, while most MGNREGA and gig workers belonged to these categories.

On The Issue Of Education & Language

On the issue of education and language, Gandhi said English remained a powerful language that defined progress in India. He questioned the BJP leaders’ criticism of English, saying, “Ask them where your children study? Do they study abroad, and if so, in Hindi medium?” He also posted on social media that the Modi government’s data in Parliament showed the “deprivation of Bahujans and institutionalised Manuvad.” He alleged that many qualified SC, ST, and OBC candidates were being rejected under the label of “Not Found Suitable”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the BJP of trying to “eliminate the poor”.

news