New Delhi: On Saturday, 24th August, Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, reiterated his call for a caste census during an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. However, his approach has raised eyebrows, as he took it a step further by engaging in caste profiling of beauty pageant winners. During the event, Gandhi claimed that 90% of the population lacked representation in the system. He went on to say that when he reviewed the list of Miss India winners, he could not find any women from the Dalit, tribal, or OBC communities.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "...I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still the media talks about dance, music, cricket,… pic.twitter.com/D2mKNs4jzt

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2024

This is not the first time the Congress leader has resorted to caste profiling. Previously, he has scrutinized bureaucrats, judges, Ministers, and media persons based on their caste.  

Gandhi was quoted by a news agency saying, “I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no woman from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still, the media talks about dance, music, cricket, Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and laborers.”

His remarks have sparked a significant backlash online, with netizens accusing the Congress leader of stooping to a new low by indulging in caste profiling of beauty pageant winners. Many questioned whether Rahul Gandhi is now advocating for reservations in the Miss India contest, similar to government jobs. Several users on social media platform X also pointed out that his statement was factually incorrect, as numerous beauty queens from India hail from minority communities.

BJP leader and National Secretary of the party’s youth wing, BJYM, Tajinder Bagga, strongly criticized Gandhi. Bagga listed several Miss India winners from minority or socially backward communities, suggesting that had the Congress leader done his homework, he wouldn’t have made such a statement and subjected himself to ridicule. Bagga shared the names of 21 Miss India winners, adding, “Rahul Gandhi is an idiot but if he had at least studied before making a statement, he wouldn’t have made himself a subject of ridicule. Let’s increase his knowledge a little. Miss India contest started in this country in 1947 and these sisters from minority communities became winners in it.”

Journalist and popular X user Ajeet Bharti also took a jab at Gandhi’s remarks, saying, “I made a list of Gandhi family, there is not a single Dalit or minority in it.”

Another user commented, “Gem from #RahulGandhi, I checked the list of Bollywood and Miss India; there is no SC, ST, OBC & Minority. Though his data is wrong, but have to say this guy has gone seriously mad to check caste in Miss India. God save the country from going into this mad guy’s hand.”

राहुल गांधी बेवक़ूफ़ है लेकिन बयान से पहले कम से कम पढ़ाई कर लेता तो इतनी जग हंसाई ना होती | चलो इसका थोड़ा ज्ञान वर्धन कर देते हैं ।
इस देश में मिस इंडिया कांटेस्ट 1947 में शुरू हुई उसमे अल्पसंख्य समाज की ये बहने विजेता बनी
1947 Esther Victoria Abraham
1952 Indrani Rahman
1953… pic.twitter.com/eE7LtUuXV0

— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) August 24, 2024

While several users highlighted that more than a dozen women from minority communities have won the Miss India title in India’s independent history, it is crucial to note that the Miss India contest is a beauty pageant where contestants are judged on their physical attributes and responses to a few questions. The pageant has no quota, reservation, or prohibitions concerning the representation of any community. Moreover, this contest is held by a private organization, and the government has no involvement.

Additionally, while a nationwide caste census has not been conducted for several decades, Gandhi’s assertion that SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities comprise around 90% of the country’s population appears to be factually inaccurate.

Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks raise a concerning question: Is he promoting casteism through his statements? By repeatedly emphasizing caste and using it as a basis for criticism, Gandhi’s approach may be seen as deepening societal divisions rather than addressing the issues of representation and equality in a constructive manner. His controversial comments and the backlash they have generated suggest that his rhetoric may be more damaging than beneficial, potentially reinforcing the very prejudices and divisions he claims to fight against.

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