Samvidhan Samman Sammelan: Shri Rahul Gandhi promises removal of 50% cap on reservation, accuses BJP controlling Election Commission, bureaucracy

Ranchi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi on October 19, 2024, asserted in Ranchi that he would ensure that the 50% cap on the reservation was removed and a nation-wide caste census carried out despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opposition.

Addressing the ‘Samvidhan Samman Sammelan’ at the capital city of poll-bound Jharkhand, Shri Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Constitution was “under attack” from the BJP, which not only has funds but also control institutions such as the Election Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax department, the bureaucracy and the media. “The Constitution is under constant attack from all sides, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and it needs to be protected,” he said. “The BJP has control of funds and institutions but we possess honesty. The Congress fought the Lok Sabha elections without money.”

Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the fight to protect constitutional values was not just 70 years old but one that had lasted for hundreds of years. “It is a fight between the Constitution and the Manusmriti,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi reiterated that caste census was a medium for getting a social X-ray done but the Prime Minister was opposed to it. “However, no force can stop caste census, institutional survey and the removal of the 50% cap on reservation, it will be done even without the support of media or judiciary,” he said.

He said that there were hardly any Dalits or tribals in key positions or Ministries such as Finance Ministry. “No Dalit, tribal or OBC is in the top management of 250 corporate firms or in key positions in Bollywood,” he said.

The Congress leader said that tribals were only given a symbolic respect not power. He doubled down on the charge saying that President Droupadi Murmu, who is the first Adivasi to assume the office, was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building or to the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. “If this is not an attack on the Constitution, what else is?” he asked.

He also accused the BJP of trying to destroy tribals’ rich cultural heritage, history, tradition and thousands of years old medical practices. “Our education system fails to teach us about indigenous people, and the history of tribals, farmers and OBCs is being destroyed by the BJP,” Shri Rahul Gandhi said.

After the poll dates were announced, this was Shri Rahul Gandhi’s first visit to Jharkhand, where the Congress is part of the ruling alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The State will go to polls in two phases on November 13 and 20. Earlier today, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren announced that the INDIA bloc will contest the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections together, with Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) set to field candidates in 70 out of 81 seats.

‘Tribals vs Vanvasis’

Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and Prime Minister Modi of snatching the rights of Dalit, Tribal and Backward Classes. “PM Modi says that he will respect Dalit, tribal and backward classes, but then takes away their rights,” Shri Gandhi said. “He gives you respect, but expels you from institutions...” He also criticised tribals being reportedly termed as “vanvasis” and alleged that the BJP was trying to destroy their history. “When the people of BJP call the tribals as Vanvasis, what are they trying to do? They are trying to destroy your way of living, history, and science, which you have been following for thousands of years...Adivasi means those who were the first owners while Vanvasi means those who live in the forest...When this word is used, it is not just a word. It is your entire history...” Shri Gandhi said. He added: “I have studied in the education system of India...You will find only 10-15 lines about the tribals... What is their history, what is their way of living... nothing is written about that...The word OBC was used for you. Is this your name?...Who said you are backward??...”

Shri Rahul Gandhi says Telangana ‘Caste Census’ to become model for the country

Hyderabad: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi has declared, on November 5, 2024, that the Telangana government caste census will become the model for the entire nation to follow and reiterated his vow to carry out a nation-wide caste census to demolish the 50% ceiling on reservations in the country. “It is not a simple caste census, but one which will decide on the system of governance of the country and a political instrument to define how this country progresses. If we want to talk of happiness or progress of the country, let us first identify the nature of discrimination. I cannot ignore the fact that there is massive discrimination and cannot lie to Dalits, Adivasis, women, OBCs or minorities,” he said.

Addressing State-Level Consultation on Caste Based Census organised by the Congress Party at Rajiv Gandhi Ideology Centre in Bowenpally, Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi said that he was accountable as a politician and he could not lie like “others” about there being no caste discrimination. “Let us simply measure and expose the level of caste discrimination. The moment I say this, the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders talk about I dividing the country. Since when has revealing the truth divided the country? Let us explore the truth. The foundation of our religion is truth and Ahimsa,” he said.

Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi said that he is fully committed to make Telangana a role model state for the entire country as the state gears up to conduct the socio-economic caste survey from November 6, 2024.

Shri Rahul Gandhi said that he was still “wondering” why the Prime Minister does not want to challenge caste discrimination and why he is “scared” of asking questions about lack of proper representation of the marginalised sections in many sectors. The level of caste discrimination in the country was “unique” and probably the “worst in the world” where a Dalit is treated as an untouchable, he maintained.

The caste census should check populations of the discriminated communities, how much wealth is there in each section and how the wealth is being distributed in the country. “Why are we scared about this? Those who resist this do not want people of India to know the truth about the discrimination in the country. How many Dalits or OBCs are there in the board rooms, judiciary, armed forces or as television anchors?” he asked.

“I am proud of the Telangana leadership for taking this up and we are fully committed to the caste census. There will be shortcomings but, we will try to iron out by having conversations between the civil society, people and the government. Instead of survey questions being framed by a bureaucrat, it will be the discriminated sections who will decide the questions. Why should we be scared of knowing the truth?” he questioned.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, PCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, TG Congress in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and others were present while Minister for Irrigation Uttam Kumar Reddy translated Shri Gandhi’s English speech into Telugu. Earlier, the Congress leader received a rapturous reception at the Begumpet Airport by the Party leaders and cadre with drum beats, slogan shouting and waving of the Party flags.