Rahul Gandhi said that all languages across the nation should be given equal importance and everybody in India should be given equal education opportunities.
Published Jul 25, 2025 | 4:19 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 4:19 PM
Congress leaders taking oath to ensure social justice.
Synopsis: The Congress organised the BC Bhaagidari Nyay Sammelan in New Delhi. Congress leaders noted that despite being more than half of the nation’s population, the BC communities are underrepresented across all power positions. They said the Congress will fight for the rights of the Backwards Classes.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded reservations for Backward Classes (BCs), Dalits and other marginalised communities in private educational institutions. “Education is the key to liberation,” he said.
He was speaking at the BC Bhaagidari Nyay Sammelan organised by the Congress at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi also slammed BJP leaders over Hindi imposition. “You want to get rid of English. Where do your wards study? Are they studying in Hindi medium? Where are they studying? In the US or Europe?” he questioned.
He said that all languages across the nation should be given equal importance and everybody in India should be given equal education opportunities.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that people from all sections of society should be represented in elected bodies in proportion to their population. He emphasised the need to ensure that the voices of all communities are heard.
Kharge said Rahul Gandhi had urged all Congress leaders, including chief ministers and other elected officials, to work for the welfare of the BC and other marginalised communities to promote equality.
Congress leaders noted that despite being more than half of the nation’s population, the BC communities are underrepresented across all power positions.
“The Telangana government has prepared data on various castes, including details of their occupations. Karnataka will do the same. It is to ensure equal representation,” Kharge said.
“We must fight for our rights because even asking for them won’t get us anywhere. Sometimes we have to struggle, sometimes we have to show strength, and during elections, we need to choose someone who stands by their principles. The voice of OBC will only be heard when OBC people are elected,” he added.
Writer Kancha Ilaiah praised the Congress and Rahul Gandhi for working for the benefit of the oppressed communities.
He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi only began supporting the idea of a caste census after realising that the BCs were rising against the injustice meted out to them and might “seize his chair.”
Kharge added that he was unsure whether Modi would actually fulfil the promise.
“According to the Constitution, there is a 60 percent reservation, but PM Modi doesn’t want to give a reservation to those who are academically, socially, and economically backwards. PM Modi is not ready to give reservations to those who have no voice. We have to make him bow. We have to tell him with unity that we are no less,” he said.
“PM Modi’s only job is to tell lies, but I don’t understand why people are not agitated… He promised to provide two crore jobs, bring back black money and give ₹15 lakh to everyone… everything was a lie. He even lied about giving MSP to farmers. He promised to increase the income of backwards classes … it never happened. That is why I call PM Modi ‘jhoothon ke sardar’. He even makes false statements in Parliament.”
“Modi does not think about the people of India, only about his chair. I will raise the issues of Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam. Trump has said several times that he mediated talks between India and Pakistan, but Modi has remained silent,” Kharge said.
He also questioned why Modi has not responded to Trump’s claims or taken steps to address the concerns of the people.
Kharge further said that the Union government plans to initiate a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), similar to the one being conducted in Bihar, in all states. “The RSS-BJP wants to take away the voting rights of the poor. Nehru, after listening to Ambedkar, advocated universal adult franchise. But they want to strip people of those rights,” he alleged.
He called for unity and said there is an urgent need for social cohesion.
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the Union government announced the caste census after witnessing the Telangana government’s successful conduct of the same.
He said the Congress will fight for the rights of the Backwards Classes.
Rahul Gandhi said that he fell short of addressing the issues of the OBC since he failed to understand the issues faced by them.
“As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work. One shortcoming remained in the Congress Party and my work—I didn’t protect the OBC community the way I should have. The reason is that I didn’t deeply understand the OBC issues at that time. Ten to fifteen years ago, I understood the difficulties faced by Dalits,” he said.
“Their issues are visible, they are easily understood, but the problems of OBCs remain hidden. If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct. In a way, it’s good that it happened, because if I had conducted a caste-based census back then, it wouldn’t have been like it is today,” he added.
“Caste-based census is just the first step; my goal is to ensure that your work gets respect and participation in India,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He also praised the caste-census of Telangana government and said that the same model should be followed across the country to ensure equal opportunities for all.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Congress has always stood by the oppressed. “Nyay is not just a slogan, it is a constitutional promise. And Bhagidari, the true participation, is the lifeblood of democracy,” he said.
“This caste-driven inequality is not just economic but also a socially structured violence. For centuries, millions of children never saw a classroom, not because they lacked talent, but because the system deemed them invisible. The BJP-RSS ideology doesn’t seek to dismantle this system; instead, it seeks to sanctify it. Their dream is a hierarchy where silence is loyalty and injustice is tradition,” he said.
“Our dreams must be different. We must build an India where birth does not define destiny, where Utpadaka Varga are not forgotten, but honoured, and where justice is not delayed by design, but delivered by Constitutional Democracy,” he added.
Siddaramaiah said Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a true Nyay Yodha, a fearless warrior for justice, who walked across the country during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and subsequently Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, not for power, but to listen. “He gave voice to the marginalised people of our country,” the chief minister said.
“I call upon every OBC leader, every grassroots worker, every believer in the Constitution to, as stated by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, to educate, agitate, organise and rise. The time for waiting is over. We should build a republic where justice is not delayed, representation is not denied, and dignity is not conditional,” he said.
“A nationwide Caste Census is not a political demand, but a constitutional necessity. Without data, there is no visibility. Without visibility, there is no justice,” he added.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
