Rahul Gandhi Bats For Country-Wide Caste Census As EC Announces Dates For Polls In Five States

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a significant announcement today (9 October), revealing that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is in full support of conducting a caste census in India, as reported by Indian Express.

Rahul Gandhi underscored the Congress party's determination to put pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to initiate the caste census.

Gandhi even went a step further, suggesting that if the BJP is unwilling to take action, they should step aside and allow the Congress to spearhead this initiative.

“There is a very big decision taken by the CWC today. Unanimously the CWC has taken the decision to support the idea of a caste census in the country, and it is a progressive and powerful step for the emancipation of poor people in the country,” Gandhi said, according to the Indian Express.

“We will force the BJP to carry out the caste census or get out of the way for us to carry out the census,” he added. 

While the Congress party's stance on the caste census is clear, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that there may be differing opinions within the opposition alliance known as INDI Alliance.

Earlier, during the CWC meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his opening statement, conveyed the party's commitment to enact the Women's Reservation Bill and expand its scope to include Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

He also pledged that, if the party secures victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they will undertake a nationwide caste-based census.

Kharge shared excerpts from his address on X, stating, 'We are determined to implement the Women's Reservation Bill, which includes its extension to OBC women when we assume power in 2024... Furthermore, we have emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive caste-based Census for effective governance programs and welfare initiatives.'"

As the scheduled legislative assembly elections in five states draw near, the Congress party has not yet unveiled its list of candidates for these elections, unlike its primary competitors.

Rahul Gandhi's statement comes just hours after the Election Commission announced the dates for assembly elections in five states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.