Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that BJP was talking about including only ‘OBC’ in the caste census, but what he felt was that every class should be counted separately. This will help in knowing which category had how much population and what should be its participation. Rahul said that making policies without knowing the correct population figures was a futile excercise.
He was speaking as the keynote speaker at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan at the Convention Center of Allahabad Medical Association (AMA) in Prayagraj on Saturday.
He stressed in his speech that his vision included the right distribution of wealth in India. He also asked as to why there was no OBC, Dalit or Adivasi among the top 500 big industrialists of the country? Also, he expressed concern that the participation of these classes in judiciary, media and bureaucracy was very low.
Rahul Gandhi said that 50 percent of India’s population belongs to the OBC class, but their participation has been ignored. He said that policies should be made on the basis of true facts of the country, otherwise the efforts would be meaningless. He considered the caste census to be the first step in this direction.
Citing an example to enthuse masses for their active participation in nation building, Gandhi compared himself to a ten-cylinder car, out of which nine cylinders were not working. His goal was that all the cylinders work and participation of all sections was ensured to take the country on the path of progress. He said that the current banking system was designed for 15 people, which does not include any Dalit, tribal or minority.
Further citing the example of Miss India contest, Rahul Gandhi said that no Dalit, OBC or tribal woman was included in it. Criticizing the media on this issue he said that media never showed interviews of any cobbler, dhobi or plumber.
The Congress MP from Raebareli further alleged that 90 percent of the country’s population was being completely ignored and everything had been limited to only 10 percent of the people. He said that those who question the demand for caste census are accused of dividing the country, which is wrong.
He also expressed concern that 90 percent have no participation in the Election Commission, Judiciary and Media. Rahul Gandhi said that it is only the Constitution that talks about protecting everyone, and its protection is the responsibility of every citizen.
Showing the constitution from the podium, he said that even big industrialists like Adani cannot protect it. He stressed that the constitution was the protection of the poor, farmers and laborers, and it was the responsibility of all of us to protect it.
Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi that now he should issue an order for caste census. If he does not do it, then the next Prime Minister will definitely do it. He also said that he is not doing politics regarding caste census, but it is a part of his mission and he will not back down from it, even if there is political loss.
