New Delhi:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked for a show of hands from journalists at a press conference to know how many of them were Dalits and OBCs, to make it clear that people from weaker sections were not getting their share in the country’s assets and institutions.
Speaking at the press conference after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Mr Gandhi said the party’s working committee has unanimously taken a “historic decision” to support the idea of a nationwide caste census, asserting that this is a ‘powerful step’. for the emancipation of the poor.
Replying to a question, Mr Gandhi said the Congress is wondering about the share of Dalits, tribals and other backward classes (OBCs) in the country’s assets and institutions.
“I will ask you how many Dalits are in this room, look at this, how many OBCs are in the room, raise their hand and see… there is a cameraman, I am not talking about you, I am talking about you (gesturing to journalists),” the former Congress chief said.
“This is the question of how many Dalits, tribals and OBCs are in institutions, what is their wealth, share of assets and their population,” he said.
He also slammed the BJP’s criticism of the Congress over the demand for caste census and said, “We are asking how many poor people are there in the country. So this (BJP criticism) is just about distraction.” Flanked by the party’s chief ministers in four states, Gandhi also said the CWC’s decision to support a caste census is a “very progressive” and “powerful” step towards the emancipation of poor people.
Talking about the idea of caste census, the former Congress president said this ‘x-ray’ is necessary for a new paradigm and development in the country.
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