'Maine Miss India Ki List Nikaali...': Rahul Gandhi's '90%' Assertion On Pageant Amid Caste Census Push — WATCH

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi advocated for a nationwide caste census to address the exclusion of 90 per cent of India's population from the system.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasised the need for a nationwide "caste census" on Saturday, stating that 90 per cent of the population is excluded from the system, and this measure is necessary for their interest. He also stated that for the Congress, the "caste census" is the foundation and a tool for policy making.

During his address at the "Samvidhan Samman Sammelan," which was held in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, Gandhi stressed that for the Congress, the "caste census" is extremely important for policy-making. He explained that most people, despite having skills and knowledge, lack connections within the system, which is why the demand for a caste census is crucial. Before ensuring the inclusion of various social groups, it is important to determine their numbers.

"Media will first talk about Bollywood and then show dance and songs, you won't find anyone from the 90% (group) there. I have created a list, I have created the list of Miss India... I thought there would be some Dalit and Adivasi women on the list. No, there is no Dalit, Adivasi, or OBC woman," he remarked using the Miss India pageant to illustrate his assertion about the representation of backward groups.

"There will be no talk of farmers and labour... A cobbler's interview is being broadcast only on my (YouTube) channel," Rahul Gandhi claimed.

"Just like our Constitution, which is a guide in a way and it is being attacked every day, a caste census, a socio-economic survey, an institutional survey will be our second guide," he also said, news agency PTI reported.

"We want the data. How many Dalits, OBC (Other Backward Classes), tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there. We are trying to protect the Constitution through this demand for a caste census," he added.

Constitution Is For All Citizens, Not Just Top 10 Per Cent: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi argued that the Constitution is intended for all citizens, not just the top 10 per cent, and that it is safeguarded by the poorer sections of society. "The Constitution is protected by poor people, labourers, tribals and not (industrialist Gautam) Adani. If 90 per cent people do not have participatory rights, the Constitution cannot be protected." "Our aim is to protect the Constitution. This (the Constitution) is a protective shield for the poor, farmers and labourers. Without it, the situation would be as it used to be earlier in the times of kings and emperors, who did whatever they wanted," he also said.

Accusing PM Narendra Modi of attempting to replicate the autocratic model of kings and emperors, Gandhi said, "You (Modi) consider yourself non-biological. You consider yourself connected with the god. Right after the (Lok Sabha) election, you had to bow down before the Constitution. This was not done by us but by people".

Rahul Gandhi emphasised that people who believe that the "caste census" can be halted or that the 50% reservation limit couldn't be raised are living in a dream world. "This will definitely happen. It cannot be stopped. Neither the caste census nor an economic survey or an institutional survey can be prevented and the 50-per cent barrier will also fall. All of these will happen," he added.

The Congress leader stated that the country's people have made up their minds in favour of a "caste census". "The order of the people has come. The prime minister should accept it and implement it. If he does not do so, someone else will become the prime minister," he further added.