On May 25, 2026, an important meeting of the District Presidents, Regional Presidents and National Coordinators of South India was organized by the Scheduled Caste Division of the All-India Congress Committee. Social and political representatives from all over the country participated in this meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the ideological position of the Congress Party among Dalits, deprived and socially backward classes and to discuss organizational expansion.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also participated in the meeting and in his wide-ranging address reflected on the historical contribution of the Congress Party, the freedom movement and the politics of social justice. He said that the Congress Party has always fought for the rights of socially weaker sections, Dalits, tribals, backward and poor. In his address, he explained in detail the social outlook of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. BR Ambedkar and their contribution towards the underprivileged society. He said that Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar paved the way for social equality and justice through the Indian Constitution, while Mahatma Gandhi spoke of extending dignity and rights to the last person in the society. At the same time, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru worked to strengthen education, democracy and institutions along with the creation of modern India, which gave an opportunity to the socially weaker sections to progress.

Shri Rahul Gandhi introspectively in his address also accepted that in the 1980s and 1990s, a large section of the Dalit community was drifting away from the Congress Party. He said that there were many political and social reasons behind it. He believed that over time the distance between the Congress organization and the grassroots leadership grew, making the Dalit community feel that their voice and participation was being weakened.

He also said that the rise of regional parties and Bahujan politics gave the Dalit community the option of a separate political representation. In many states, the Dalit community turned to political parties that spoke directly to their identity, respect and political stake. The Congress could not fully grasp this change in time, due to which its traditional base was weakened. During his address, Shri Rahul Gandhi also attacked the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. He alleged that Prime Minister Modi has entered into such agreements with the US and Donald Trump that are benefiting the country’s big industrialists and close corporate groups, while the interests of the country’s farmers, labourers, small traders and the youth are being ignored. Rahul Gandhi raised questions about the recent Indo-US trade agreements and decisions taken in various economic sectors including steel and said that it is against the economic sovereignty of the country and the basic spirit of the Constitution framed by Baba Saheb. He alleged that the government was using the country’s resources and policies in favor of a select few. Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress Party will expose the whole matter and tell the truth to the people of the country. He said that the Congress will not allow the future of the youth, women, farmers, laborers and children of the country to be messed with at any cost. He also said that the Congress Party stands firmly with every section of the country to protect the Constitution, Democracy and Social Justice and will continue the fight for social equality and economic justice.

Addressing the meeting, All-India Congress Committee Scheduled Castes National President Rajendra Pal Gautam elaborately mentioned the glorious history of Dalit society, struggle and contribution of various castes in building Indian society. He said in his address that the history of India is not only the history of kings and empires, but also the history of the struggles and contributions of the hardworking, laboring, Bahujan and Dalit communities.

He said that different sections of the society have played a historical role in the development of the country at their respective levels. Be it agriculture, handicrafts, leather industry, small-scale industry, military contribution, social reform movement or the field of knowledge and education - Dalit and underprivileged society has always strengthened the foundation of nation-building. He said that for a long time the social system did not give proper place to the contribution of these classes in history, but today there is a need to bring the history of the real makers of the society to the fore.

The National President particularly emphasized the need for continuous struggle for social justice, equality and protection of constitutional rights. He said that the Constitution is not only a book but a document of security for crores of disadvantaged people and hopes and rights. He urged the workers that they should go from village-to-village and to every section of the society taking the Constitution, social justice and ideology of Congress.

The leaders and activists present in the meeting resolved to launch a comprehensive campaign at the organizational level for social justice, defense of the Constitution and strengthening the political partnership of the Dalit community.