The Congress’ national social justice thrust is built around a new social contract

New Delhi: The Mahagathbandhan allies in Bihar on September 24, 2025, unveiled a 10-point ‘Ati Pichda Nyay Sankalp Patra’ aimed at Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled later this year.

The launch was attended by Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Shri Tejashwi Yadav, and ‘Vikassheel Insaan Party’ (VIP) Chief Shri Mukesh Sahani.

The Sankalp, released jointly by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, lays out social security measures in sectors such as education and employment for the state’s EBC communities, which account for roughly 36% of Bihar’s population.

Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the measures would be implemented once the Mahagathbandhan comes to power in Bihar. “We will implement a 10-point program when we come to power in Bihar...We have to uplift those belonging to the Backward Classes, the Dalits and others who are deprived of their rights...,” Congress President said.

He further said, “We need to uplift the backward, the most backward, the Dalit, and the minority communities. Many communities are deprived of their rights today...which are very important.” Shri Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for a caste census and alleged that weaker sections of society “do not receive the participation they deserve.”

“Even today in this country, there are Extremely Backward Classes, Backward Classes, Dalits, tribals, and minorities, all of whom don’t receive the participation they deserve. The entire country recognises this truth. We want to conduct a caste census and show the true population of Dalits, Extremely Backward Classes, and Backward Classes in this country. The entire country should know the population of minorities, tribals, and the poor general castes. That is our ideology,” he stated.

Shri Rahul Gandhi said, “We believe in this Constitution, and it states that every person should be allowed to participate in the country’s progress, regardless of their caste, religion or gender. But the BJP is destroying this Constitution. We want to give the most backward classes a ‘Vision’. ...This is the vision of the most backward society.”

What are the 10 promises of Mahagathbandhan? According to the ‘Ati Pichda Nyay Sankalp Patra’,” the Mahagathbandhan, if elected, would implement the following measures for backward classes: • Pass an ‘Ati Pichda Atyachaar Nivaran’ Adhiniyam (Extremely Backward Atrocity Prevention Act) • Raise existing 20 per cent EBC reservation to 30 per cent in panchayats and urban local bodies. • Increase the 50 per cent reservation limit in proportion to the population. • ‘Not found suitable’ concept in selection process for appointments to be declared illegal. • Committees to be formed in matters related to under- or over-inclusion in EBC lists. • Landless individuals to get 3 decimals of residential land in urban areas and 5 decimals in rural areas. • Reserve half of the reserved seats for enrolment in private schools. • A provision of 50 per cent reservation in government contracts/supply works up to Rs. 25 crores. • Reservation for enrolment in all private educational institutions of the state under Article 15(5) of the Constitution. • A high-powered Reservation Regulatory Authority to oversee reservations.

The 2023 Bihar Caste Census found that the EBCs make up 36 per cent of the state’s population of over 13 crores, making them the largest single social group after the combined backward classes. AICC OBC Chairman Shri Anil Jaihind said, “The Extremely Backward Classes in Bihar have long been victims of oppression, neglect, and tyranny. They have long suffered murders, looting, robbery, rape, and all manner of atrocities. And this document will prove to be a milestone in the journey towards social justice.”