PM agreed to caste census out of fear of deprived classes: Rahul
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Patna: Congress MP
Rahul Gandhi
on Thursday claimed PM
Narendra Modi
agreed to conduct a
caste census
"out of fear" of the country's
deprived classes
, who, he said, make up 90% of the population. Rahul's remarks followed the recent decision by the cabinet committee on political affairs, chaired by the PM, to approve caste enumeration in the forthcoming general census.
Speaking at the launch of the "Shiksha Nyay Samwad" in Darbhanga, an NDA stronghold, Rahul called for a comprehensive caste census on the lines of Telangana, reservation for socially deprived groups in private educational institutions and the release of funds allocated for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Addressing students at Ambedkar Hostel, despite being denied permission by the local administration, Rahul declared he would continue his fight until these three demands were met.
"We told the PM in Parliament that you will have to conduct the caste census and he agreed out of fear of your power," Rahul told the gathering.
Seeking to connect with the audience, Rahul alleged that dalits, extremely backward classes, other backward classes and adivasis have long faced systemic oppression and have been denied access to quality education through various means, including the leaking of exam papers.
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"Exam paper leaks are just a part of the conspiracy to destroy your academic career," he said, demanding reservation for deprived communities in private academic institutions.
He urged marginalised groups to recognise their collective strength. "Just identify your strength. You make up 90% of the total population, but '90% ke liye desh me koi rasta nahin hai' (there is no path for such a large section in this country)," he said. Highlighting their underrepresentation, he pointed out the lack of presence in the bureaucracy, judiciary, educational institutions and medical colleges and called for unity among the deprived classes.
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