New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, facing backlash over comments perceived as anti-reservation, issued a clarification today, stating that his party would extend the reservation limit beyond 50%. Yesterday, someone misrepresented my statement, claiming I am against reservation. Let me make it clear – I am not against reservation. We will take reservations beyond the limit of 50%, Gandhi said during an interview at the National Press Club in the US.Controversial remarks on reservationThe controversy erupted during an interaction with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Rahul Gandhis statement that the Congress would think of ending reservation when India is a fair place sparked criticism, particularly from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He clarified his stance, explaining that India is not yet a fair country. The elephant in the room is that 90% of India – OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis – dont play the game, he remarked.Gandhi further discussed the importance of conducting a caste census, calling it a vital exercise to understand how lower castes and marginalized communities are integrated into Indias socio-economic system. Out of the top 200 businesses in India, there is almost no ownership by 90% of the population. In the highest courts, and even in the media, there is almost no participation of OBCs, Dalits, or Adivasis, he pointed out.Caste census as step toward fairnessElaborating on the caste census, Gandhi said, We want to understand the social and financial position of marginalized communities. Its about looking at Indian institutions to see how well different sections of society are represented. His remarks focused on increasing awareness of the underrepresentation of backward castes in key sectors of Indian society.Accusations of anti-national remarksRahul Gandhis statements have stirred a political firestorm in India, with the BJP accusing him of making anti-national remarks abroad. The ruling partys leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, took particular issue with Gandhis comments on the reservation.Rahul Gandhis statement exposes the Congresss politics of division, based on regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences, Amit Shah said. By speaking about abolishing reservations, Rahul Gandhi has once again shown the Congresss anti-reservation stance. His thoughts, eventually, found their way into words, Shah added, doubling down on the BJPs critique.
