Kharge Asserts Rahul Gandhi's Vision is to Unite India, Not Divide: A Defense of the Caste Census

New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized on Sunday that the intention behind Rahul Gandhi's advocacy for a caste census is to foster unity among the people of India, rather than to divide the nation. He condemned the BJP for 'misleading the populace' and 'spreading animosity'.

“Every time Rahul Gandhi discusses the caste census, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah accuse him of attempting to fracture the nation. In reality, his discussions surrounding the caste census are aimed at uniting the country and its citizens,” Kharge stated during a ‘Maha Rally’ to uphold the Constitution at Ramleela Maidan.

He reiterated that Rahul Gandhi's stance is about uniting rather than dividing, asserting that a caste census would clarify who has what involvement and representation within the nation.

“Through a caste census, Rahul Gandhi aspires to enhance the welfare of the marginalized sections of society. The Constitution guarantees us the right to live with dignity and self-esteem while providing equal opportunities for progress. Thus, implementing a caste census is crucial to ensure proper representation of all citizens,” the Congress President remarked.

He asserted that to protect the Constitution and democracy, unity among the populace and political factions is essential, stating that various allies within the INDIA bloc are collaborating to defend both the Constitution and democracy.

“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat, unity is vital. Without standing together, we cannot achieve our ultimate goal of preserving the Constitution and democracy,” he noted.

He highlighted that it was Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s inaugural Prime Minister, who introduced the concept of adult suffrage, while Babasaheb Ambedkar fought tirelessly to secure equal rights for all citizens, a battle that Congress fully supported.

“Who granted you the right to vote and equal rights? Was it PM Modi or Congress? You seem to forget the source of these rights. Nehru and Ambedkar were the champions of your rights,” Kharge remarked.

He pointed out that thanks to Ambedkar's visionary Constitution, women now have equal rights to aspire to any constitutional role in the country.

“Whether it be as President, Prime Minister, or in any other constitutional role, women possess equal rights, which is a legacy of Nehru and Ambedkar,” he stated.

He warned that had Ambedkar not enshrined the right to vote in the Constitution, many individuals would not occupy significant positions in the country.

He emphasized that Indian society should not discriminate against anyone and insisted that all citizens are equal. “Our community (Dalits) must first assert our rights, enabling others to join and support our cause,” he said.

In a critique of the ruling BJP, the Congress President stated: “Modi and Shah do not even heed their leader (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat. Tomorrow, they might even demolish the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, and Charminar in search of something beneath them! Currently, surveyors across the nation are investigating the locations of former temples and mosques.”

He accused PM Modi of actively working to dismantle national unity. “Our struggle is against the hatred they propagate, for which political power is crucial,” he declared.

He recalled that in 2023, RSS Chief Bhagwat stated, 'Our goal was to construct the Ram temple, and it is incorrect to seek a Shivalaya under every mosque.'

“When BJP-RSS members express such views, why is there a dispute emerging from these surveys? We are all united. Modi claims, 'If we are united, we are secure'... yet you are undermining our safety. The reality is, you both sever and distribute unity simultaneously. Right now, surveyors are uncovering the locations of former temples and mosques throughout the nation,” the Congress President added.

He stressed that poverty, unemployment, and inflation are escalating in the nation, yet PM Modi remains unresponsive. “Thus, we will unite to protect the Constitution and democracy. We will implement a caste census, abolish the 50 percent cap on reservations, and expand it further to ensure justice for all,” he said.

Further criticizing the BJP, Kharge remarked that they often preach morality while engaging in immoral actions. “At times, they manipulate votes via EVMs, at other times they poach elected MLAs. They even siphon off pensions and the MSP for farmers,” he stated.

Kharge mentioned receiving numerous complaints that even post-elections, EVMs still display 99 percent battery life, and at times, thousands of votes are recorded in a single hour, adding that it is imperative we unite to preserve democracy.