Rahul Gandhi ‘can be second Ambedkar': Congress Dalit leader Udit Raj's appeal to OBCs gets ‘insult' retort from BJP
A prominent Dalit leader and a former MP from Delhi, Udit Raj in a post on X on Saturday appealed to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to 'think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again'.
He urged them to 'follow and support' Rahul Gandhi's recent assertions at a function at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium on Friday.
"If they (OBCs) do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them," Udit Raj's post read. BR Ambedkar, apart from being a globally respected constitutionalist, is widely seen as a catalyst for positive change for the Dalit community into which he was born.
Also read | My mistake we couldn't get caste census done earlier, says Rahul Gandhi
What was Udit Raj talking about?
Udit Raj, in his X post, was purportedly referring to Rahul Gandhi's commitment to a caste census, and his admission of not understanding OBC issues earlier. 'I didn't protect the OBC community the way I should have,' Rahul Gandhi said at the function.
The OBCs are widely estimated to be the largest group in India, though caste data has not been collected or revealed since the 1931 census. Rahul Gandhi has been pushing for it in recent years, and the government has committed to counting castes in the Covid-delayed census now scheduled to begin next year.
Insulting Dalits and BR Ambedkar, says BJP
But the BJP took exception to Udit Raj's mention of Dalit icon and globally renowned constitutionalist Ambedkar.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said as per an NDTV report: 'Insulting Dalits and BR Ambedkar has become the Congress' identity... Who insulted the 'original' Ambedkar? Who did not bestow the Bharat Ratna on him? Who did not let his Constitution be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir? Who spoke about Muslim reservation? Who said reservation is bad... Jawaharlal Nehru.'
He was further quoted as saying, 'They want to become a second Ambedkar, not Nehru or Indira Gandhi? This means the Gandhi family is admitting Nehru and Indira Gandhi were on the wrong path.'
Rahul Gandhi in his Friday speech had claimed, 'As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work.' He listed the Land Acquisition Bill, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and Right to Food, and some others as 'things I did well'.
'But one shortcoming remained in the Congress party and my work: I didn't protect the OBC community the way I should have,' news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
'The reason is that I did not deeply understand the OBC issues at that time. Ten to 15 years ago, I understood the difficulties faced by Dalits. Their issues are visible, they are easily understood, but the problems of OBCs remain hidden,' he said.
'If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct,' he promised.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
- The Hindu
"I don't know anything about it": Trump on U.S. imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) stated that he had no knowledge that the United States imports Russian Chemicals and fertilizers. The rebuttal came after India claimed that U.S. continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. When asked by the ANI about U.S. Imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers during a press conference at the White House, Mr. Trump said, 'I don't know anything about it. We will have to check.' ANI has reached out to the President's press team and awaits for a response. The comment came a day after the U.S. President announced that the United States would 'substantially raise' tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!' Mr. Trump had said in a post on Truth Social on Monday (August 4, 2025). The U.S. President's statement was strongly rejected by India, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling the targeting of India 'unjustified and unreasonable.' In a detailed response, India said its imports from Russia were based on market needs and energy security, especially after Western nations diverted traditional supplies to Europe following the Ukraine conflict. 'In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,' the statement noted. The government also pointed to continued trade between Russia and both the United States and the European Union. 'Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' the MEA statement said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 minutes ago
- Business Standard
EAM Jaishankar meets Germany MP, discusses growing bilateral ties
Germany and India share a strong strategic partnership, which has grown steadily over the decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951 ANI Asia External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met German Member of Parliament Jurgen Hardt in New Delhi and discussed growing bilateral ties and recent global developments. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Always nice to catch up with German MP @juergenhardt. Discussed our bilateral cooperation and global developments." According to MEA, Germany is one of India's most valued partners in Europe. The two countries share a strong strategic partnership, which has grown steadily over the decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951. In March 2021, both sides marked 70 years of diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have held regular meetings, both bilaterally and on the sidelines of key global summits. In fact, they have met six times in the last two years. Their latest meeting took place during the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy in June 2024, where they reviewed ongoing cooperation. Prior to that, the two leaders met at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 and also during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023. Chancellor Scholz had also paid a standalone State visit to India in February 2023, a first by a German Chancellor since the launch of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) format. India and Germany held their 6th IGC in Berlin in May 2022, co-chaired by PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz. Several agreements were signed in the fields of clean energy, health, agroecology, skill development, mobility, and more. A major outcome was the Joint Declaration of Intent on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), as per MEA. Separately, EAM Jaishankar also met Slovenia's Ambassador to India, Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, for a farewell call. In a message on X, he said, "Pleased to receive Ambassador Mateja Vodeb Ghosh of Slovenia this evening for a farewell call. Appreciate her contributions towards building stronger ties. Wish her the best for future endeavors.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Don't know anything about it: Trump on US importing Russian chemicals
Trump's statement comes after India said that the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride from Russia for its nuclear industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals Swati Gandhi New Delhi US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that he has no clue about the US importing chemicals and fertilisers from Russia. Trump's statement follows India's retort that the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride from Russia for its nuclear industry, as well as for fertilisers and chemicals. Trump's apparent unawareness of the US-Russia transactions emerged during a White House press conference. Responding to ANI about the US importing Russian chemicals and fertilisers, Trump said, 'I don't know anything about it. We will have to check.' Here's what has happened so far On April 2, Trump announced 'sweeping tariffs' on more than 100 countries and imposed a 26 per cent 'discounted' tariff on India. On April 9, he announced a 90-day pause, allowing countries a chance to secure a deal with the US. While the deadline ended on July 9, the tariff rates came into effect on August 1 for partner nations. During the 90-day pause on tariff rates, Trump, on several occasions, said that a deal with India is expected soon. However, right before the August 1 deadline, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on India, bringing it down by one percentage point. Taking to his private social media platform, Truth Social, Trump announced the new tariff rate for India, adding that the nation is also likely to pay a penalty for its oil imports from Russia. He wrote, 'They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST.' The US President criticised India for buying Russian oil at a crucial time, when the peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv have failed and the war has entered its fourth year in February. In a post shared on Monday, Donald Trump said, 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter.' India-US ties strained? As Trump continued to intensify pressure on India with his tariff threats and additional levies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement on Monday, responding to the claims made by Trump. In a sharp rebuttal, the MEA defended its oil purchases, stating that they are driven by national necessity and were far smaller in scale compared to the West's energy purchases. MEA also stated, 'India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict.' West's trade with Russia far exceeds India's Data cited by the MEA highlighted the imbalance in Trump's criticism. According to the data, the European Union recorded €67.5 billion in goods trade with Russia in 2024, and an additional €17.2 billion in services trade in 2023 – far higher than India's total trade with Moscow. The statement further added, 'The US continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals.'
