'Caste census my life's mission': Rahul counters PM Modi's offensive
What's the story
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reiterated his vow to prioritize the caste census if his party comes to power.
Speaking at the "Samajik Nyay Sammelan" in New Delhi, he said, "Caste census is not politics for me...it is my life mission...The census will be the first task we will take up when...Congress is elected to office...This is my guarantee."
He also hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the former's "wealth distribution" speech.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Gandhi's remarks come amid a row that began after PM Modi alleged that the Congress plans to seize citizens' assets and distribute them among "infiltrators" and "those with more children."
In response, the Congress has moved the Election Commission of India seeking action against him for making a "hate speech."
To be sure, the Congress manifesto calls for a national socioeconomic and caste census to lay the groundwork for affirmative action. There is no mention of a wealth redistribution plan.
Manifesto
Gandhi responds to concerns raised by PM Modi, BJP
Gandhi said that the BJP is in "panic mode" after reading the Congress's "revolutionary" manifesto.
He added that the manifesto aims to give back 90% Indians a small part of the ₹16 lakh crore given to big businessmen as loan waivers.
Earlier in the day, in a post on X, Gandhi accused PM Modi of waiving off loans worth ₹16 lakh crore for his billionaire friends, and said the country will never forgive him for this "crime."
Explanation
Gandhi clarifies his stance on wealth redistribution
Explaining the Congress's plan to conduct a caste survey, Gandhi clarified that he is "not interested in caste...but in 'nyay'."
Addressing the "wealth distribution" controversy, the Congress MP said, "I have not said we will take action yet... I am just saying let's find out how much injustice has been done."
He added that the caste census will have "economic" and "institutional" components which will "reveal" which communities have been benefitting and what should be done to ensure socio-economic justice.
Criticism
Gandhi questions Modi's OBC status
Gandhi also criticized the BJP for overlooking Dalit and tribal history, calling for action against this neglect.
He questioned Modi's OBC status, stating, "PM...has been saying for the past ten years that he is an OBC...when I talked about caste census, Modi said...there is no caste. If there is no caste, how are you OBC?"
He also expressed disappointment with the BJP for excluding President Droupadi Murmu from the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, alleging discrimination by the ruling party.
Socioeconomic caste census
'Deshbhakts' scared of X-ray: Gandhi
The Congress leader defended the caste survey again and said, "If you get injured and I say that get an X-ray done, no one should object to that."
"But look at the national media and Narendra Modi as soon as I used the word X-ray and said let us test how much injustice is there...they stood up and started saying 'that attempts being made to divide country, break it'."
"Those who calls themselves 'deshbhakt' are scared of X-Ray," he said.