"Voice of OBCs will be heard only when they are in power": Kharge demands caste census, hits out at PM Modi

New Delhi [India], July 25 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday reiterated the party demand for a nationwide caste-based census and the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations. He also launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of denying rights to backward communities and misleading the country.

Speaking at the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan of OBC at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, Kharge said, I am happy that a large number of people have gathered here and they understand their rights. Conducting a caste-based census in the country and abolishing the 50 per cent reservation limit is our demand. Narendra Modi does not want to give reservations to those who are educationally backwards, but we stand with them.

He stressed that the voice of the OBC community will only be heard when they are elected to power.

We must fight for our rights because even asking for them wont get us anywhere. Sometimes we have to struggle, sometimes we have to show strength, and during elections, we need to choose someone who stands by their principles. The voice of OBC will only be heard when OBC people are in elected office, he said.

Kharge accused PM Modi of using his OBC identity for political gain, claiming that he had his community included in the OBC list only after becoming Gujarat Chief Minister.

Modi ji calls himself OBC; he was earlier in the upper caste, but after becoming Chief Minister, he got his community included in the OBC list. Then he started his cunning tactics, saying among OBC people, Brothers and sisters, I am from the backwards class, I am being oppressed.But.. now he is oppressing everyone, and this wont work anymore, Kharge said.

Kharge also accused PM Modi of repeatedly lying to the people. Narendra Modi jhhutho ke sardaar hai (leader of liars). Lying is his job. He lied to the country, saying that I will provide 2 crore jobs to the youth every year, I will bring back black money from abroad, give everyone Rs 15-15 lakh, I will give MSP to farmers, and I will increase the income of the backwards class. He even lies in Parliament. Therefore, we should make people understand that Narendra Modi is misleading the country, and a lying Prime Minister cannot do good for the country or society, he said.

He further praised Rahul Gandhi for showing courage in demanding a caste census and urged people to support him. He said that the government has not taken strong steps for SCs, STs, OBCs, and women, but Rahul Gandhi stands with the backwards and deprived.

RSS-BJP people spread poison. They work to divide people against each other, but we must remain united. We must support the Congress party with courage. Just as people stood together during the time of independence, if you all support us in the same way, no one can shake the Congress party. The OBC caste census should happen; this courage has been shown only by Rahul Gandhi ji. Therefore, we must all support Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi ji stands with the backwards and deprived, supports them, and fights for their rights, so you should definitely support him. The Modi government has not taken any concrete steps for SC, ST, OBC, and women, he added.

The Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan was inaugurated by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and the concluding address will be delivered by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Gandhi admitted that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he is now determined to correct it. He said he failed to understand the issues of the OBC community earlier, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women, where he claimed the Congress had done commendable work.

I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle -- all these things I did well. As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work, he said.

One shortcoming remained in the Congress Party and my work, I didnt protect the OBC community the way I should have. The reason is that I didnt deeply understand the OBC issues at that time. Ten to fifteen years ago, I understood the difficulties faced by Dalits. Their issues are visible, they are easily understood, but the problems of OBCs remain hidden. If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct, he said, adding that in a way, it good that it happened, because if I had conducted a caste-based census back then, it wouldnt have been like it is today.

He added that Dalits, backwards classes, tribals, and minorities make up 90 per cent of the country population, yet remain excluded from key decision-making processes, including the Union Budget.

In the country, the population of Dalits, backwards classes, tribals, and minorities together constitutes about 90 per cent. But when the halwa was being distributed after the budget was prepared, there was no one from this 90 per cent population present. The 90 per cent population of the country is the productive force. You are the ones making the halwa, but they are the ones eating it. We are not saying that they shouldnt eat the halwa, but at the very least, you should get some too, he said.

He also stated that he is fully committed to conducting a caste-based census and will not back down from it, emphasising that it is only the first step. His larger goal is to ensure that people work receives respect and equal participation in the country.

You should ask my sister Priyanka whether, if Rahul has made up his mind for a task, will he let go of that matter or not? I am not going to let go. Caste-based census is just the first step; my goal is to ensure that your work gets respect and participation in India, he added. (ANI)

Disclaimer: This news article is a direct feed from ANI and has not been edited by the News Nation team. The news agency is solely responsible for its content.