Lucknow: On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Prayagraj and took part in the 'Respect and Protection of the Constitution' event. While addressing the gathering, Gandhi made a bold statement, asserting that "90 percent" of the population is excluded from the current system, and the nation cannot function effectively without their involvement. He emphasized the need to eliminate the 50 percent reservation cap to ensure broader participation.

Rahul Gandhi's remarks on reservation and the caste census indicate that these issues have become a central mission in his life, rather than just political talking points. In response, BSP leader Mayawati criticized the Congress party, questioning why, despite being in power for so many years, it never conducted a caste census. She expressed these views in a post on the social media platform X, accusing the Congress of having a double standard.

Mayawati pointed out that the Congress party historically did not honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, during his lifetime or posthumously with the Bharat Ratna award. She also criticized the party for not observing a day of state mourning after the death of BSP founder Kanshi Ram. Mayawati questioned why the Congress, which was in power for decades, failed to conduct a caste census, something the BSP has always supported.

Further, Mayawati highlighted the Congress's silence on the Supreme Court's decisions regarding the reservation system, particularly concerning the classification and creamy layer aspects that could weaken the SC/ST reservation. She urged the SC, ST, and OBC communities to be cautious about forming alliances with anti-reservation parties like the Congress and SP, and to instead rely on their own strength.

During the 'Samvidhan Samman Sammelan', Rahul Gandhi reiterated his call for a nationwide caste census, noting that when he reviewed the list of former Miss India winners, he did not find any Dalits, tribals, or OBCs among them. He criticized the focus on topics like cricket and Bollywood, arguing that professions such as cobblers or plumbers are rarely highlighted, and even in the media, top anchors do not represent the 90 percent.

Gandhi also anticipated that the BJP might accuse him of trying to divide the country with his demand for a caste census. However, he stressed that the lack of representation for 90 percent of the population in various institutions, corporations, and cultural spaces must be addressed.

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