Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Prayagraj on Saturday to participate in the 'Respect the Constitution and Defend It' event. Addressing the attendees, Rahul Gandhi stated that '90 percent' of people are excluded from the system and the country cannot progress without their involvement, advocating for the removal of the 50 percent reservation barrier.
Rahul Gandhi's statement on reservation and caste census reflects that this issue has transcended into a mission for him. Reacting to his statement, BSP Chief Mayawati criticized the Congress party on social media platform X, questioning why the Congress did not conduct a caste census during its extended time in power.
Mayawati's Sharp Attack
Mayawati labeled the Congress party as hypocritical, alleging that it never honored Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during his lifetime or posthumously as India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Furthermore, she pointed out that even after the death of Kanshi Ram, there was no state mourning declared for a single day. Mayawati continued to question why the Congress party, with so many years in power, did not conduct a caste census, while the BSP has always supported it.
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On the Supreme Court's verdict, Mayawati commented on Congress's silence, asserting, 'Additionally, the silence of Congress, SP, and BJP on the ongoing conspiracy to negate and end SC/ST reservations through sub-classification and creamy layer, exposes their true stance on Dalit issues. It is advisable for the SC, ST, and OBC communities to refrain from forming alliances with reservation-opposing parties like SP and Congress in any election. Now is the time for them to stand on their own strength.'
What Rahul Gandhi Said
To emphasize, Rahul Gandhi, during the 'Respect for Constitution Conference,' advocated for a nationwide 'caste census.' He shared that after reviewing the former Miss India winners, he did not find any Dalit, tribal, or OBC individual among them. He added, 'Some may talk about cricket or Bollywood, but nobody highlights a cobbler or a plumber. Even in the media, top anchors do not represent the 90 percent.' Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, said that BJP might allege that their demand for a caste census is an attempt to divide the nation. He remarked, 'We want to know how many people from the 90 percent are in institutions, corporations, Bollywood, and Miss India. I am merely pointing out the absence of 'participation' for 90 percent of the population, and this should be addressed.'
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