Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reiterated his demand for a nationwide caste census, saying that 90% people of the country are sitting out of the system and the step should be taken in their interest. Addressing the “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan” in Prayagraj, Gandhi said, “90% people are sitting out of the system. They have skill, knowledge but no connections (with the system).
That is why we have raised the demand for a caste census.” The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said, “For the Congress, the caste census is the foundation of policy making. It is a tool for policy making.
We cannot make policies in the reality of India without a caste census.” He added: “Just like our Constitution, which is a guide in a way and it is being attacked every day, a caste census, a socio-economic survey, an institutional survey will be our second guide.” “We want the data.
How many Dalits, OBC (Other Backward Classes), tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there. We are trying to protect the Constitution through this demand for a caste census,” he added. “Our aim is to protect the Constitution.
This (the Constitution) is a protective shield for the poor, farmers and labourers. Without it, the situation would be as it used to be earlier in the times of kings and emperors, who did whatever they wanted,” he said. During the event, Gandhi also alleged that there was no woman belonging to the Dalit, Tribal or OBC communities, who made the cut f.