Kharge Defends Caste Census: Rahul Gandhi's Mission to Unite India

New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted on Sunday that the objective of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, in advocating for a caste census is to foster unity among the Indian populace, not to fracture the nation. He condemned the BJP for its tactics of 'deceiving the public' and 'spreading animosity'.

“Whenever Rahul Gandhi discusses the caste census, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah accuse him of attempting to divide the nation. In reality, his discourse on the caste census is aimed at bringing the country and its people closer together,” Kharge stated while speaking at a ‘Maha Rally’ at Ramleela Maidan to uphold the Constitution.

He reiterated that Rahul Gandhi is focused on uniting the country rather than creating divisions, emphasizing that the caste census will provide insights into the participation and representation of various groups in the nation.

“With the findings from the caste census, Rahul Gandhi aims to improve conditions for marginalized communities in the country. The Constitution guarantees us the right to live with dignity and respect, along with equal opportunities for advancement. Therefore, conducting a caste census is crucial as it will ensure the rightful involvement of citizens,” the Congress President stated.

He noted that to protect the Constitution and democracy, unity among people and political factions is essential, stating that various partners within the INDIA bloc are united in their efforts to defend both the Constitution and democracy.

“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat, solidarity is imperative. If we fail to unite, we will not achieve our goal of safeguarding the Constitution and democracy,” he remarked.

He highlighted that it was India’s inaugural Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who introduced the concept of adult franchise, while Babasaheb Ambedkar fought tirelessly to secure equal rights for all citizens, with full support from Congress.

“Who granted you the Adult Franchise and equal rights? Was it PM Modi or Congress? You seem to forget. Everyone among you overlooks who established your equal rights. It was Nehru and Ambedkar who fought for your rights,” Kharge asserted.

He added that it is due to the visionary Constitution crafted by Ambedkar that women now possess equal rights to pursue any constitutional position in the nation.

“Whether it is the President, Prime Minister, or any other constitutional role, women have equal rights, a legacy of Nehru and Ambedkar for our country,” he emphasized.

He pointed out that had Ambedkar not enshrined voting rights in the Constitution, many individuals would not hold significant and influential positions today.

He stressed that Indian society must not engage in discrimination, asserting that all citizens are equal. “Our community (Dalits) must first advocate for our rights, so that others can join and support us,” he stated.

In a critique of the ruling BJP, the Congress President remarked: “Modi and Shah do not even heed the words of their leader (RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat). Tomorrow, they will demolish the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, and Charminar in search of something beneath them! Today, surveyors are scouring the country to locate where there were temples versus where there were mosques.”

He expressed that PM Modi is relentless in undermining the unity of the nation. “Our battle is against the animosity they propagate, for which securing political power is vital,” he stated.

Moreover, in 2023, RSS chief Bhagwat declared, 'Our objective was to construct a Ram temple; it is misguided to seek a Shivalaya beneath every mosque.'

“When the BJP-RSS affiliates make such statements, why is there a dispute arising over surveys? We are all united. Modi claims, 'If we are united, we are secure'... yet you are preventing our safety. The reality is that you are the one who divides and then redistributes,” Kharge asserted. He observed that poverty, unemployment, and inflation are on the rise, yet PM Modi remains inattentive to these issues. “Thus, we must unite to preserve the Constitution and democracy. We will conduct a caste census, abolish the 50 percent cap on reservations, and extend it further, so that justice can be served,” he remarked.

Further criticizing the BJP, Kharge stated that they preach morality while engaging in immoral actions. “At times they manipulate votes through EVMs, other times they poach elected representatives. They even misappropriate pensions and undermine farmers' MSP,” he added.

Kharge shared that numerous complaints have surfaced regarding EVMs, indicating that even after elections, 99 percent battery life remains, and that thousands of votes can be cast in an hour. He emphasized the necessity of unity to protect democracy.