Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday, July 25, openly acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during his political career was a significant oversight. Speaking at the Bhagidari Nyay Mahasammelan at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha expressed regret over his failure to adequately represent the concerns of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) during his 21 years in politics.
Reflecting on his political journey since 2004, Gandhi said he had led key initiatives like the Land Acquisition Bill, MGNREGA, the Food Security Bill, and efforts for tribal communities. However, he admitted that one major shortcoming was his inability to stand up for OBC interests with the same commitment.
“In all honesty, when I assess my political career, I realize I made one big mistake – I failed to protect and uplift the OBC community the way I should have,” he said. “If I had truly understood their challenges earlier, I would have ensured that a caste census was conducted long ago.”
Gandhi emphasized that the Congress party is now committed to carrying out a caste census in all states where it holds power, calling it an essential step towards social justice. He said it was perhaps fortunate the exercise hadn’t been done earlier, as it might not have been as comprehensive or impactful as the recent one conducted in Telangana.
Praising the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana, Gandhi highlighted the state’s caste survey as a transformative moment. The data revealed that 56.36% of the population belongs to Backward Classes, while 3.9% reported not being affiliated with any caste.
Describing the survey as a “political earthquake,” Gandhi said, “Its impact may not be immediately visible, but its tremors will reshape the nation’s political landscape.” He concluded with a firm declaration: “I’m going to correct my mistake.”
