Rahul Gandhi at press meet, asks media ‘How many of you are Dalits, OBCs?’

After the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked for a show of hands from journalists to know how many of them were lower castes, including Dalits and OBCs to make a point that people of weaker sections were not getting their share in India’s asset and institution.

Rahul Gandhi on nationwide caste-based census

Addressing the press conference, Rahul Gandhi said that the CWC has taken a ‘historic decision’ unanimously to support the idea of a nationwide caste census, asserting that it is a ‘powerful step’ for the emancipation of the poor.

Responding to a question, he said that Congress is asking what is the share of Dalits, tribals and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the country’s assets and institutions.

Congress leader asks journalists, how many of you Dalits, OBC?

“I will ask you how many Dalits are there in this room, look at this, how many OBCs are there in the room, raise their hands and see…there’s a cameraman, I am not talking about you, I am talking about you (gesturing towards journalists),” the former party chief said.

“This is the question, how many Dalits, tribals and OBCs are there in institutions, what is their wealth, share in assets and their population,” Rahul added.

Gandhi slams BJP’s criticism over its caste-based census demand

Slamming the BJP’s criticism of the Congress over its caste census demand, the Congress leader 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 decision of the CWC to support a caste census was a “very progressive” and “powerful” step for the emancipation of poor people.

Speaking about the idea of caste census, Rahul Gandhi said this ‘X-ray’ is needed for a new paradigm and development in the country.