Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has reaffirmed his call for removing the 50% cap on reservations and urgently conducting a caste census. Addressing recent misquotations about his stance, Gandhi clarified, "Somebody misquoted me yesterday, saying that I am against reservations. I have been saying repeatedly - we are going to increase reservations beyond 50%, and I am not against reservation."

During his address at the National Press Club in Washington, Gandhi also discussed issues such as the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that it is the Bangladesh government's responsibility to address these attacks.

On the topic of the caste census, Gandhi stressed that it is not just about reservations but about creating a fairer society. "Our approach is not merely about reservations. We need a comprehensive understanding of the situation to apply various policies, including reservations, to address it effectively."

Gandhi rejected the idea of reservations based solely on economic status, arguing that caste discrimination is a core issue in India. "Discrimination exists on many levels, not just economic. Caste discrimination is a fundamental problem."

When asked about the role of the US in pressuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi over democratic and minority issues, Gandhi stated, "The fight for democracy in India is an Indian issue. It is our responsibility, and we will handle it ourselves."

He also criticized Modi's handling of the China situation, noting the presence of Chinese troops in Indian territory. "If having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometers of our land is considered handling the situation well, then I disagree. We have Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. It’s a disaster."

On the Kashmir conflict and Indo-Pak relations, Gandhi dismissed the notion that Kashmir is the main issue, instead attributing the tension to terrorism instigated by Islamabad. He also commented on the recent violence in Israel, denouncing both the initial attack on October 7 and the subsequent bombing of civilians. "The attack on Israel was absolutely wrong, and Israel's bombing of innocent civilians, including women and children, is equally wrong and should not be allowed to continue."

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