INDIA bloc will pass legislation for caste census, reservation above 50%, says Rahul Gandhi

‘Today, we cannot precisely say the population of each caste, which makes caste-based census essential,’ the Congress leader said at the ‘Samvidhan Sanman Sammelan’ in Kolhapur

The Indian National Inclusive, Developmental Alliance (INDIA) bloc will pass the legislation for caste-based census, and will remove the 50% cap on reservation, Rahul Gandhi said in Kolhapur on Saturday (October 5, 2024). He was speaking at the ‘Samvidhan Sanman Sammelan’ after unveiling a life-size statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

“If we want to protect the Constitution, the first step should be to remove the 50% cap on reservations. The INDIA alliance will remove this cap and pass caste-based census legislation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

He took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Malvan a few months ago. “The Congress party is fighting for the same thoughts that Shivaji Maharaj had fought for,” he said, holding a red pocket-size copy of the Indian Constitution, adding that the statue in Sindhudurg collapsed “because people who worship it failed to protect his thoughts”.

Mr. Gandhi also visited the home of a tempo driver, Ajit Sandhe, at Uchgaon and cooked food in their kitchen. The members of the family said they felt elated. Mr. Sandhe’s wife later told media persons that she felt like her brother had come home. She said Mr. Gandhi had cooked a vegetable and a dal in the kitchen.

“Today, we cannot precisely say the population of each caste, which makes caste-based census essential. A caste-based census is like an X-ray. After the X-ray, we will understand the problem and find solutions. However, the BJP and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) oppose this census. They do not want 90% of the country’s population to have access to the truth, which is why they resist. But in the interests of these 90% of people, we will ensure the caste-based census is passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and no power can stop it. We do what we say,” Mr. Gandhi said at the Samvidhan Sanman Sammelan.

He also raised concerns over how those with skills, talent and experience were being left behind, and there was no mention of them in school curriculums. “You have increased the imagination of students but have not offered entry to the education system. This is the case in many other sectors like industries, media, judiciary and intelligence agencies. How many Dalits, Adivasis or people of Backward Classes do you see in the senior management of companies? Adani and Ambani can enter any business but a small business owner is unable to do that,” the Congress leader said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “It is not enough to merely erect statues of great personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; we must also follow their principles and values. We should at least imbibe some of the causes Shivaji Maharaj fought and lived for. Shivaji Maharaj accomplished great deeds by uniting people of all castes and religions and fighting against injustice. His ideals are reflected in the Constitution of the country. If it weren’t for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, this Constitution wouldn’t exist,” Mr. Gandhi said.

Fadnavis slams Rahul

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Mr. Gandhi and asked him to first tender an apology for the remarks made by his (Mr. Gandhi’s) great-grandfather, the late former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in his book The Discovery of India.

Maharashtra Congress leaders hit back at Mr. Fadnavis asking him to read how Nehru had corrected his remarks. In a counter-question, they asked him when he would tender an apology for the remarks made by V.D. Savarkar on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Published - October 05, 2024 12:18 pm IST