- Rahul Gandhi called for a caste census and hinted at ending reservations in a “fairer” India.
- BSP’s Mayawati and BJP’s Chirag Paswan slammed the Congress leader’s remarks.
- Gandhi’s statements abroad continue to fuel domestic political controversy.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on caste and reservations during his Georgetown University address have ignited sharp reactions in India’s political arena.
BSP leader Mayawati, along with BJP ally Chirag Paswan, strongly condemned Gandhi’s comments.
Political Fallout in India over Rahul Gandhi’s U.S. Comments on Reservations
During his visit to the U.S., Rahul Gandhi sparked controversy by stating that Congress would consider ending reservations once India becomes a more equitable nation. He reiterated his demand for a caste census to assess the socio-economic status of lower castes, framing it as essential to achieve a fair distribution of opportunities in the country. However, his comments were quickly politicized back in India.
Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), responded by criticizing the Congress party for its failure to implement OBC reservations during its time in power. She warned the public to be wary of the Congress’ promises, suggesting they would not follow through with a caste census if they came back into power.
Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which is allied with the BJP, called Gandhi’s remarks anti-constitutional and accused Congress of attempting to dismantle the quota system. He argued that the suggestion of scrapping reservations reflects the Congress party’s lack of commitment to the marginalized sections of society.
Rahul Gandhi’s international comments have previously triggered similar reactions at home, with critics accusing him of using foreign platforms to criticize India’s internal affairs. This latest controversy has further fueled debate on the reservation system and caste politics in India, reigniting longstanding political tensions on the issue.
Gandhi’s comments have exposed deep political fault lines, with the reservation debate once again at the forefront of Indian politics. As the country nears election season, caste and reservation are likely to remain hotly debated issues.
“The Congress party did not implement OBC reservation while being in power for a long time at the Centre. Now the party is dreaming of coming to power using the issue.” — Mayawati
