"Country needs real justice, not symbolic politics": Rahul Gandhi on Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur

"The country now needs real justice, not symbolic politics."

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called Karpoori Thakur an incomparable warrior of social justice and paid tribute.

"I pay respectful tribute to Jannayak Karpoori Thakur ji, an incomparable warrior of social justice, on his birth centenary. He is certainly a precious gem of India and the decision to award him Bharat Ratna posthumously is welcomed."

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP for concealing the Social and Economic Caste Census.

"The BJP government's concealment of the results of the Social and Economic Caste Census conducted in 2011 and their indifference towards a nationwide census is an attempt to weaken the movement for social justice."

"Participatory Justice, one of the five justices of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, is the focus of justice and social equality, which can begin only after the caste census."

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took a dig at the BJP and said, "Even though it reflects the Modi government's desperation and hypocrisy, the Indian National Congress welcomes the award of the Bharat Ratna posthumously to the champion of social justice, Jannayak Karpoori Thakurji."

Ramesh also slammed the Centre for not releasing the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011.

"Bhagidari Nyay is one of the five pillars of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. It will need a nationwide caste census as a starting point. Rahul Gandhi has been consistently advocating this but the Modi government has all along refused to release the results of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 and also refused to commit itself to conducting an updated nationwide caste census, which will be the most appropriate tribute to Jannayak Karpoori Thakurji."

RJD MP Manoj Jha highlighted Bihar's Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's demand for Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur two years ago.

"I welcome this step, but its background needs to be known. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav ji had demanded from the Prime Minister to give Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur two years ago. Along with this, RJD colleagues made a continuous request with folded hands in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha." (ANI)