Rahul Gandhi Renews Call for Nationwide Caste Census

Rahul Gandhi advocates a national caste census, criticizes lack of diverse representation in Miss India pageant, and condemns media focus. At Samvidhan Samman Sammelan, he pledges to lift the 50% reservation cap if Congress forms the government.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reiterated his demand for a nationwide caste census while highlighting the absence of Dalit, Tribal, or Other Backward Classes women in the 'Miss India pageant list.' Speaking at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Gandhi said, 'I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC.'

He castigated the media for neglecting farmers and laborers, stating, 'Still the media talks about dance, music, cricket, Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and laborers.' The Congress leader asserted that his party would conduct a caste census and eliminate the 50 percent cap on reservations when in power.

'We will conduct a caste census and the 50 percent cap on the reservation which I don't accept will be removed...First, we should have the data before us regarding the participation of different castes in various institutions...Talks of reservation are always held but they never get a chance,' Gandhi said. He took a swipe at the Narendra Modi-led Central government over its recent lateral entry advertisement, claiming, 'Lateral entry ho jati hai, main aapko guarantee de raha hun lateral entry mein 90 per cent wala aapko koi nahi milega (I am guaranteeing you that you will not find anyone with from the 90 per cent in lateral entry).'

Gandhi explained that the INDIA alliance is advocating for a caste census because 90 percent of the population remains excluded despite possessing the necessary skills and talent. '90 percent of the people are not a part of the system. They have the required skill, talent but they are not connected with the system. That's why we are demanding a caste census.'

He emphasized that the caste census is foundational for policy-making for the Congress and INDIA alliance. 'BJP leaders are saying that an OBC section will be given after caste census...We want the list of different communities. For us caste census is not just a census, it is a foundation for policy making...Just conducting a caste census is not enough, it is also important to understand how the wealth is being distributed...It is also important to find out how much is the participation of OBCs, Dalits, workers in the bureaucracy, judiciary, media?' Gandhi said. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)