Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that if the BJP leader were to write an autobiography, it might be titled My Experiment with Lies, drawing a pointed contrast with Mahatma Gandhi’s My Experiments with Truth.
Speaking at a 'Save Constitution' rally in Patna, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha criticised the Modi government for allegedly weakening constitutional values and failing the poor, Dalits, and backward communities. He also accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its chief Mohan Bhagwat of opposing the idea of a caste census.
“This Constitution carries the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru—not Savarkar. Gandhiji had written My Experiments with Truth. Narendra Modi might write My Experiment with Lies,” Gandhi said.
He alleged that the BJP-led government has constructed a false narrative around the 50 percent ceiling on reservations, saying that this limit was being used as a tool to deny meaningful power and opportunity to marginalised groups.
“When we come to power, we will break this ceiling to ensure that the poor, Dalits, EBCs and OBCs get their fair share in governance,” he declared.
Gandhi pointed to the recent caste survey conducted by the Bihar government, which revealed that Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) make up 36 percent of the population, followed by Other Backward Castes (OBCs) at 27 percent and Dalits at 19 percent. He argued that despite these figures, their representation in the bureaucracy and other influential sectors remained abysmally low.
He urged for a nationwide caste census and praised the Telangana government for its meticulous approach in conducting one. “We made a mistake by not doing this earlier. But now we will correct it,” he said.
In an apparent course correction within the party, the Congress recently replaced its Bihar unit chief, appointing Dalit MLA Rajesh Kumar in place of upper-caste leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh, a move seen as a nod to greater inclusivity.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi joined the Congress’s ‘Palayan Roko, Naukri Do’ (Stop Migration, Provide Jobs) padyatra in Begusarai, walking alongside youth and party leaders including former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and the new state party president.
Wearing a white T-shirt and surrounded by thousands of supporters, Gandhi walked the streets of the industrial district, a region often associated with high unemployment and out-migration. Addressing the gathering, he said, “There is deep anger among Bihar’s youth. They are tired of being ignored, tired of joblessness, and tired of the injustice they face.”
Later, in a post on social media platform X, Gandhi added, “There is a strong desire among the youth of Bihar to achieve something, but the government has failed to provide opportunities. This is not just a rally—it is a call for change.”
A day before the rally, Gandhi had posted a video message urging young people to join him in the march wearing white T-shirts to signal solidarity.
“Our aim is to draw the world’s attention to Bihar’s youth, who see government jobs vanishing and privatisation offering no real benefit. Let us put pressure on the state government and bring about real change,” he said.
The Congress is part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar, along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left parties. With state elections scheduled for later this year, Gandhi’s active presence in Bihar signals the party’s intention to focus on caste representation, employment and youth issues as key campaign themes.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari welcomed Gandhi’s initiative, noting, “Tejashwi Yadav has been raising these issues since 2020. The partnership between Rahul and Tejashwi will strengthen the INDIA bloc and help defeat the NDA in the coming elections.”
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