Declaring that the caste census in Telangana would be a role model for the nation, the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that bureaucrats should not prepare questions for the caste census. The questions should be prepared according to ‘people’s thoughts,’ he said.
Addressing the meeting held on ‘Consultations on Caste Census’ at the Bowenpally Gandhi Ideology Centre on Tuesday, Rahul said that inequalities would increase if there is caste discrimination and the caste system.
He said that he had stated in Parliament that the Congress would launch a caste census and remove the cap on reservations. Rahul said that a caste census should be carried out across the country.
He said that justice will be done to those who
have been suffering for years through the caste census in Telangana. He expressed the hope that the caste census would give adequate representation to those who have been suffering for generations.
Rahul said the caste system exists in all fields and expressed concern that the caste system is damaging the self-confidence of some people. He said that due to this, conditions are being created where youth cannot move forward.
Rahul said that he can understand how much trouble there is due to caste discrimination and that if the country wants to grow there is a need to eliminate caste discrimination.
“We have to accept that there is a caste system and caste discrimination exists. However, there are allegations against me that I am trying to divide the nation. Is telling the truth about the country dividing it? Caste census will reveal the number of the Dalits and OBCs. Let’s find out who and how much financial resources they have after the caste census,” Rahul said.
He said that caste discrimination runs deep in society and that its pain is known to people who face caste discrimination.
“We want to conduct tests to find out about the disease of caste discrimination in the country. That is why the caste census is very important. If we conduct a caste census, we need to know how many people belong to which caste. Who is poor and who has what? If you want to know about any disease, you need to do an X-ray. We will conduct the caste census. Let’s find out who has what, why is Modi talking in an obstructing manner? They say we are trying to divide the country. Is dividing the country giving everybody their share of the country’s wealth? We have decided to conduct a caste survey and increase reservation according to population,” Rahul said.
He said that it is commendable that a decision has been taken to launch a caste census in Telangana.
