Shahdol /MP : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during a public rally in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, pressed for a caste census, terming it an ‘X-ray’ that would reveal the ground realities faced by minority communities.
Gandhi declared, “We will compel the Centre to conduct a caste census, no matter what it takes. The caste census is an ‘X-ray’ to uncover the realities concerning the backward classes, Dalits, and tribals.”
Championing the cause of a caste census in the state, the Congress MP from Wayanad, Kerala, remarked, “The question before the nation is what rights should be accorded to Adivasis today? What share should be allocated to the OBC and ST categories? This is why we are advocating for the caste census… We will ensure it happens.”
Rahul Gandhi’s rally took place after the Election Commission announced the schedule for assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram, which will take place between November 7 and 30.
He took a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), recalling a statement by Lal Krishna Advani that the BJP-RSS’s original laboratory was not in Gujarat but in Madhya Pradesh. Gandhi alleged that in the BJP’s laboratory, the deceased are neglected, and their funds are misappropriated.
Highlighting the agrarian crisis, Gandhi asserted, “In the BJP’s laboratory, three farmers commit suicide daily in Madhya Pradesh. Their deaths are ignored, and their hard-earned money is stolen. This situation is unique to Madhya Pradesh.”
Gandhi also drew attention to various issues in the state, including the Vyapam scandal, farmer suicides, and mistreatment of Adivasis, asserting that BJP’s leaders have disrespected indigenous communities in the state.
“In BJP’s laboratory, their leaders mistreat Adivasis. This is what Advani meant when he talked about a BJP-RSS laboratory being established in Madhya Pradesh,” concluded Rahul Gandhi.
