BENGALURU: Taking full credit for the Union Government’s decision to conduct a caste census alongside the national census, All-India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded that the Centre begin the census within three months. Failure to do so, he warned, would expose the Centre’s lack of seriousness and prove that the announcement was merely for show.
Addressing the ‘Samvidhan Ulisi, Belayerike Ilisi’ (Protect Constitution, curb price rise) rally organised by the state Congress in Hubballi on Thursday, Kharge asserted that the party leaders, including himself and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had long been advocating for a caste census. The Congress was earlier accused by the BJP of trying to divide society, but now the saffron party has bowed to the public pressure generated by the Congress and other opposition parties, he said.
Clarifying the Congress’ position on caste and social justice, Kharge outlined a three-point agenda — conducting a caste census; implementing Article 15(5) of the Constitution in private educational institutions through appropriate legislation; and removing the 50% cap on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court via a Constitutional amendment to allow reservations in proportion to population size.
Citing Tamil Nadu as a model, the AICC president noted that the state provides 69% reservation and that state governments are willing to do more but are restricted by the Union Government. While the Modi government has now agreed to a caste census, Kharge vowed that the Congress will continue its fight to achieve the remaining two goals.
Kharage accused the BJP-led NDA government of systematically weakening sections of the Constitution one by one. “If anybody speaks against it, cases are being filed against them and they being haunted using the Central agencies such as CBI, ED, and Income Tax Department,” he added.
“One should realise that freedom has existed and rights are being enjoyed due to the Constitution. If you don’t raise your voice, you yourselves are giving up your freedom and rights. If we protect the Constitution, it will protect us,” he said, adding that he, Rahul Gandhi, and the entire Congress have been agitating to protect the Constitution and safeguard the unity of the country.
Reiterating that the Congress has stood behind the Modi government in its retaliation against those responsible for the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the AICC president did not absolve the government on security or intelligence failure. “We wanted to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how the terror incident happened in the all-party meeting, but he was busy in the election campaign in poll-bound Bihar,” Kharge ridiculed.
Declaring that he is not afraid of PM Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah, Kharge urged Congress workers to stand strong. He warned BJP leaders against trying to intimidate Congress leaders and workers.