Caste census needed for 90% people who have no representation: Rahul

Pressing for a nationwide “caste census”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said 90 per cent of the people of the country are sitting outside the system, and the step would be necessary for them.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said “the caste census is the foundation of policymaking” for the Congress.

Addressing the “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan” in Prayagraj on Saturday (August 24), Rahul said, “90 per cent of the people are sitting outside the system. They have skill and knowledge but no connection (with the system). That is why we have raised the demand for a caste census.”

A second guide

Asserting that before ensuring the participation of various sections of society, there is a need to ascertain their numbers, Rahul said, “For the Congress, the caste census is the foundation of policymaking. It is a tool for policymaking. We cannot make policies in the reality of India without a caste census.”

He added that just like the Constitution, the caste census will be a policy framework and a guide for the Congress.

“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 said.

“We want the data. How many Dalits, OBCs (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 not for 10% population

Rahul said the Constitution is not for 10 per cent of the country’s population; it is for all citizens.

“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 said.

Modi “trying to replicate model of kings”

The former Congress chief alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to replicate the model of kings and emperors.

“You (Modi) consider yourself non-biological. You consider yourself connected with God. Right after the (Lok Sabha) election, you had to bow down before the Constitution. This was not done by us but by the people,” he said.

Rahul said those who think that the “caste census” can be stopped, or the 50 per cent ceiling on reservation cannot be lifted, are dreaming.

“It 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 said.

Ideological fight “will continue”

The Congress leader asserted that the people of the country have made up their mind 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 said.

Hitting out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, Gandhi said ever since he joined politics in 2004, he has been “bothered and disturbed” by the leaders of the saffron party.

“I consider them (BJP leaders) as my guru, those who taught me what not to do. This is an ideological fight (with the BJP) and it will continue,” he added.

“Unlike Prime Minister Modi, I do my work considering it as my responsibility and not for others to remember me. It is Narendra Modi’s way of doing his work so that he is remembered. My thinking is that 90 per cent of the country’s power is utilised in making it,” the Congress leader said.

The cobbler lesson

Rahul recalled that he recently met a cobbler in Uttar Pradesh who told him that he does not get due respect from others and that people ridicule him.

“He has so much skill, but he does not get any respect. There are thousands of people like him,” Rahul said, stressing the need for their involvement and participation in society.

Talking about skilled workers, such as cobblers, barbers, carpenters, washermen, and others, he said, “Certification centres can be opened in all districts in which the network of these skilled workers can be utilised....”

Rahul’s vision

“My vision is that it should be known how much wealth is in the hands of the OBCs, Dalits, and labourers. What is the participation of these people in the institutions of India, be it the bureaucracy, the judiciary or the media?” he asked while claiming that 90 per cent Indians have no representation in the country’s top corporations, judiciary or media.

“The prime minister waived loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of 25 people but no Dalit, tribal or minority-community member was there on the list,” Gandhi said.

(With agency inputs)