Rahul Gandhi Promises Caste Census, Slams Modi & RSS in Gujarat

At the Congress National Convention held along the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, Rahul Gandhi took direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the RSS. He accused Modi of remaining silent on critical domestic issues despite reacting to international events like U.S. tariffs and criticism from Bangladesh. “Where did his 56-inch chest go?” Rahul questioned, referencing Modi’s past rhetoric.

Using Telangana’s caste-based census as a model, Gandhi criticized the BJP and RSS for opposing such initiatives. He pledged that a Congress-led government would implement a nationwide caste census and dismantle the 50% cap on reservations, enhancing affirmative action for underrepresented communities.

The event also saw the passing of a resolution to revive Congress’s presence in Gujarat after a 30-year hiatus. Branded under the slogan “New Gujarat, New Congress,” the resolution emphasized inclusive development and social justice.

Gandhi accused the Modi government of sidelining marginalized communities from key public sector roles. He alleged that institutions like BSNL, once accessible to Dalits and backward classes, were now being systematically handed over to corporate entities like Adani and Ambani. He noted the absence of any tribal, Dalit, or backward class representation in their management teams.

Warning of an impending economic crisis, Gandhi blamed Modi’s foreign policy choices, particularly trade interactions with the U.S., for triggering potential financial instability. “An economic storm is coming,” he cautioned.

Reiterating Congress’s commitment to constitutional values, he labeled the party’s mission as ideological and asserted that only Congress could withstand the systematic weakening of democratic institutions by the BJP-RSS.

In a sharp remark about religious freedoms, Gandhi cited a report from the RSS-linked Organizer publication. He claimed that after the Waqf Bill, similar encroachments would target Christian and Sikh lands. “No one is safe,” he warned, suggesting that all minority communities are on the BJP’s radar.