Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said on Saturday that those who believe the caste census can be halted or that the 50 per cent reservation limit would remain are “dreaming.”
Addressing a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi said, “If anyone thinks that the caste census can be stopped or the 50 per cent barrier in reservation will remain, let me tell you, they are dreaming.”
“Neither the caste census will stop, nor the socio-economic survey, nor the institutional survey, nor will the 50 per cent barrier (in reservation) remain… because the people of India have made up their minds; the order has come from the people, now the Prime Minister must accept this and enforce the order. And if he does not enforce it, then other Prime Ministers will do it,” he said.
“He stated that he was not conducting the caste census for any political reasons, but rather to include the 90 per cent of India’s poor in the mainstream. He also mentioned that he would ensure the caste census took place, even if it led to political losses.
“I am not doing the caste census for political reasons… For me, this is about including the 90 per cent poor farmers of India into (the mainstream) this country. This is my mission, in the future, even if it causes political loss, I will do it,” he said.
He added that the Congress party is protecting the constitution through the caste census.
“We are protecting the constitution through the caste census…This (while holding up the copy of the constitution) is the protection for the poor people of India, for farmers, and labourers,” he said.
He also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “You think of yourself as non-biological, you think of yourself as directly connected to God… wrong number,” he said. (ANI)
