I.N.D.I.A. Will Remove 50% Cap On Reservation If Voted To Power: Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi assured that an I.N.D.I.A. government would eliminate the 50 per cent cap on reservations without reducing the reservation for Dalits and Adivasis.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', in Ranchi, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.

Source : PTI

In a significant political announcement on Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pledged to conduct a nationwide caste census and eliminate the 50 per cent cap on the reservation if the I.N.D.I.A. bloc assumes power at the Centre after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking at a rally held at the Shaheed Maidan during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to news agency PTI, the Lok Sabha MP accused the Prime Minister of inconsistency in addressing the issue of caste representation, stating, "When the demand for a caste census was raised and the time came to give rights to OBCs, Dalits, and tribals, the PM stated there are no castes, but when it is time to get votes, he says he is an OBC."

Addressing the issue of social and economic injustice, Gandhi emphasised the need for a caste census in the country. He assured that an I.N.D.I.A. government would eliminate the 50 per cent cap on reservations without reducing the reservation for Dalits and Adivasis. "I am giving you a guarantee that the backward sections of society will get their rights," Gandhi affirmed, as quoted by PTI.

Rahul Gandhi Claims Inconsistency In PM Modi's Remarks On OBCs

Responding to Prime Minister Modi's remarks in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi criticised what he deemed as inconsistency in the PM's statements about his OBC status and the dismissal of the need for a caste census. "If Modi ji talks so much about so many things, then why is he afraid of census?" Gandhi questioned, as per PTI's report.

The Congress leader further alleged BJP's involvement in attempting to topple the JMM-Congress-RJD government in Jharkhand due to the tribal identity of the Chief Minister. Congratulating the alliance MLAs for thwarting the alleged conspiracy, Gandhi asserted, "They stopped the BJP-RSS conspiracy and protected the government of the poor."

On the political front, Gandhi accused the Modi government of attempting to privatise Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to favour 'crony capitalist friends'. He specifically mentioned the Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC Limited) and asserted, "We will not let Adani's name be stuck over HEC. We will not allow Adani to be given this free gift", the report stated.

In response to these allegations, Minister of State Nisith Pramanik from the BJP dismissed Rahul Gandhi's yatras as failures and suggested the need for new young leadership within the Congress, PTI reported.

Rahul Gandhi also cited Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's assurance that a caste survey had been conducted in his state, promising similar efforts in other states to empower marginalised communities.