Rahul Gandhi bats for nationwide caste census

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday emphasised the need to hold a caste census throughout the country and do away with the ceiling of 50 per cent in reservations.

Speaking at the Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan (Save Constitution Conclave) organised in Patna on Saturday, Rahul said the other backward castes (OBCs), SCs, STs, and minorities together constituted more than 80 per cent of the population, but “if you see the top 100 officers in the corridors of power, you will find only 10 per cent from the OBCs, SCs, or STs working as top officials".

On what was his first visit to Bihar after becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, he added: "Similar is the case with the fund earmarked to spend. For every Rs 100, backward or deprived-section officers get Rs 6 to spend as per the budgetary provision, while elite-class officers spend the rest. It is, therefore, high time that we have a nationwide caste census so that ‘jiski jitni aabadi, uski utni bhagedari’ (participation as per the population of different sections).”

The Congress leader also emphasised the need to do away the 50% ceiling on reservation.

“After all, just as a doctor can prescribe you medicine after going through your X-ray or MRI report, we too will chalk out policies for those deprived sections who are numerically strong but have weak representation in the government sector,” he said.

The Congress leader also assailed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for saying that India did not get true Independence on August 15, 1947.

“What Bhagwat said is an insult to the Constitution. It is also an insult to BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and scores of freedom fighters who fought for Independence,” he said.

His visit is significant in the sense that Bihar will have an Assembly election this October and there are already cracks within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc allies.

Later in the evening, Rahul drove down to the official residence of RJD leader and former chief minister Rabri Devi and met Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav, and other members of the family.