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Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly endorse a caste census and address representation issues faced by marginalised communities in India. He added that he is "committed" to dismantling the 50 per cent reservation cap to ensure social justice.
Speaking at a meeting on the caste census in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the need for data regarding Dalits and OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in sectors such as business and the judiciary. "I still wonder why the Prime Minister of the country has not publicly declared his intent to challenge discrimination in Indian society. Why hasn't he asked how many Dalits are present in India's boardrooms? How many OBCs are there in the judicial system? Why is he reluctant to pose these questions?" Gandhi remarked. He reiterated the Congress party's commitment to conducting a national caste census, describing it as essential for addressing representation gaps in public and private institutions. "I made a commitment in Parliament, on behalf of the Congress party, that we will carry out a national caste census and dismantle the arbitrary 50 per cent reservation cap," he said. Gandhi cited Telangana as a model, emphasising the Congress's preference for a people-led caste census over a bureaucratic approach. "We want the people of India to define the questions that should be asked in the caste census," he added. Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy, expressing his support, highlighted the state's recent efforts to conduct fair examinations and appointments for public posts as a testament to its commitment to social justice. "As Chief Minister of Telangana, it is my responsibility to conduct a caste census to ensure social justice. I am committed to fulfilling the promise made by our leader, Rahul Gandhi," he stated. Reddy provided details on the recent Group 1 exams, noting that of the 563 available vacancies, around three lakh candidates applied, with 31,383 candidates qualifying. "Among them, only 3,076, or about 9 per cent, are from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), while the Backward Classes (OBC) group accounts for 17,921 candidates, or 57.11 per cent, despite having a 27 per cent reservation in Telangana," he explained. Reddy added, "Telangana is upholding the vision Rahul Ji shared during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. We will conduct the caste census with 100 per cent accuracy, free from legal complications and without objections from civil society." (ANI)
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