Hyderabad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged his full support for conducting a caste census in Telangana. He emphasized that he wants Telangana to serve as a model for caste census efforts across the country.
Speaking at a Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee meeting on Tuesday, Rahul highlighted the importance of the upcoming caste survey, which is set to begin on November 6. According to him, the caste census is crucial for understanding the extent of discrimination in society. “I am fully committed to ensuring that not only does the caste census happen in Telangana, but that Telangana becomes a model for the entire nation,” he said.
Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on addressing caste-based discrimination. He pointed out that the Prime Minister has not openly challenged this issue and questioned why Modi is hesitant to ask about the representation of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis in key sectors like corporates, judiciary, and media. Rahul reiterated that Congress has promised to conduct a national caste census.
He further explained that the caste census would serve as a framework for the progress and development of the entire country. Rahul acknowledged that there might be some challenges in conducting the caste census in Telangana but promised to address any shortcomings. He called for collaboration between civil society, the people of Telangana, and the government to make the census more effective.
Rahul Gandhi also stressed that the caste census should not become just another routine bureaucratic task. He argued that it should not be left solely to bureaucrats to design the census questionnaire. Instead, he believes that Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis should be involved in deciding what kinds of questions are asked.
Using an analogy, Rahul compared caste discrimination to an iceberg, stating that only a small portion of the problem is visible on the surface, while the rest lies hidden beneath society. He likened this hidden discrimination to the iceberg that sank the Titanic, warning that caste issues are deeply entrenched in India and require serious attention.
Finally, Rahul responded to criticism from the BJP and Prime Minister Modi, who often accuse him of dividing the country when he raises these issues. “Revealing the truth cannot divide the country. All we are saying is, let us explore the truth,” he concluded.
