In a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi-led Central government, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday, said that no woman belonging to the Dalit, Tribal or OBC communities, cut Miss India beauty pageant.
“I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still, the media talks about dance, music, cricket, Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and labourers”, he said.
The former Congress president reiterated his demand and the importance of conducting a nationwide caste census, saying it was not just a census but served as a foundation for effective policymaking.
Addressing a Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi stated that 90 per cent of the population was not connected with the system despite having the required skills, talent and knowledge.
The Congress leader also underlined that it was important to note how the wealth was being distributed among the 90 per cent of the population who were bereft of any benefits, apart from holding a caste census.
“As many as 90 per cent of the people are not a part of the system. They have the required skill, talent and knowledge, but they are not connected with the system. That’s why we are demanding a caste census. BJP leaders are saying that an OBC section will be given after the caste census,” he said.
“We want a list of different communities. For us, the caste census is not just a census, it is a foundation for policymaking. Just conducting a caste census is not enough, it is also important to understand how the wealth is being distributed,” he said.
“It is also important to find out how much the participation is of OBCs, Dalits and workers in the bureaucracy, judiciary and media?” he added.
During campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress, in its manifesto, promised to conduct a nationwide socio-economic caste census to enumerate the castes, sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions, if the party was voted to power.
While addressing an election rally in April, Rahul Gandhi also said if Congress formed the government at the Centre, it would conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain the distribution of wealth among the people in the country.
Rahul Gandhi’s promise, however, drew a sharp rebuttal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had alleged that the Congress would distribute the country’s wealth to “infiltrators” and “those who have more children”. PM Modi’s remarks sparked a huge uproar among the Opposition.