Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday admitted that not conducting a caste census in Congress-ruled states was his fault and not that of the party. Asserting that he is correcting that now, Rahul vowed to rectify the error nationwide.
Acknowledging delay, Rahul Gandhi also said that he committed a 'mistake' in his 21-year political career, which is not protecting the interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) section as much as he should have done.
Addressing a 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' of OBCs at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said, "I have been doing politics since 2004, it has been 21 years, and when I look back and do a self-analysis, where all I did the right thing and where I fell short. I see two-three big issues – land acquisition bill, MGNREGA, food bill, fight for tribals, I did these things wrong."
"When it comes to Dalits, tribals and minorities, I should get good marks. On women's issues, I should get good marks. But when I look back, I can see clearly that in one thing I was lacking, I committed one mistake – I did not protect the OBC section the way I should have," he said.
Rahul Gandhi also admitted that he could not understand the issues of the OBC section deeply 10-15 years ago."I understood Dalit problems, which are clear; one can understand issues of STs also clearly. The issues of OBCs are hidden. I regret that if I had known more about your history and issues, I would have gotten the caste census done. That is my mistake and not that of the Congress. I am going to correct that mistake," Gandhi said.
He said he could not understand the issues of the OBC section deeply 10-15 years ago."I understood Dalit problems, which are clear; one can understand issues of STs also clearly. The issues of OBCs are hidden.The Congress leader further noted that it was better that the caste census was not done earlier. He cited the Telangana example and said that the caste census in Telangana is a 'political earthquake' that will cause a huge "aftershock" in the country.
"I regret that if I had known more about your history and issues, I would have gotten the caste census done. That is my mistake and not that of the Congress. I am going to correct that mistake," Gandhi said.He, however, added that in a way, it is better that the caste census was not done earlier, as it would not have been done in the manner it would be done now following the Telangana example.
Gandhi also condemned the RSS and BJP for neglecting the contributions of the OBC community.“RSS, BJP have deliberately erased the history of OBCs, who are the productive force of the country,” Gandhi added."We will conduct a caste census and an X-ray of the population in all Congress-ruled states," he said.
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