Rahul Gandhi say's Why Modi is afraid of caste census

Bilaspur. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he was afraid of the caste census in the country. He said the caste census is like an x-ray of the country’s social fabric which is important to ensure everybody’s due participation in the decision-making process.

Addressing an impressive public meeting organized to mark the ‘Awaas NYAY Sammelan’ here today, he also took a dig at Prime Minister Modi for handing over everything to Gautam Adani from ports to airports and defense deals. 

On this occasion, Mr. Gandhi directly transferred cash subsidies to 47,000 people under Gramin Awaas Yojana by pressing a remote button. He said, that when he pressed the button of the remote, benefits were directly transferred to thousands of people in the state.
Drawing a parallel, he said, even the BJP and the Prime Minister also use a remote control. But, he added, while he (Mr Gandhi) pressed the remote in full public view for the benefit of common people, Mr Modi pressed the remote stealthily to provide benefit to Adani. When he (Mr Modi) presses the remote, Bombay airport goes to Adani, when he presses it next time Adani gets a railway contract, and another time, he gets an infrastructure development project.

Mr Gandhi said, that when he raised the question in the parliament and asked Mr Modi what was his relationship with Adani, his (Mr Gandhi’s) Lok Sabha membership was cancelled. He said he was really not bothered as Congressmen are never afraid of speaking the truth.

The Congress leader referred to Mr Modi speaking so much about the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He said, actually no power has been given to the OBCs. He disclosed that of the 90 top bureaucrats running the central government, just three were OBCs. He said, that when he confronted the BJP with these figures, they came up with a lame defense that they had MLAs and MPs from OBCs. “But MLAs and MPs no longer run the government, it is actually the secretaries and cabinet secretary”, he pointed out while adding that the MPs and MLAs themselves say that they are powerless.

Mr Gandhi said, the caste census is the only solution to ensure the participation of everyone, be they the OBCs, the dalits or the tribals in the decision-making process. He said it is like an x-ray of the country's societal composition. He said, the Congress government had conducted the caste census and the data is lying with the government. He asked, why was Mr Modi afraid of making it public.

He said the Congress party delivers whatever it promises. He referred to the Karnataka elections where the Congress had provided five guarantees, which were implemented in the first cabinet meeting. He said the same was the case with Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. He said the Congress party does not believe in making false promises like depositing 15 lakh rupees in everybody’s bank account. 

Among those present on the occasion included Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Bhagel, AICC general secretary in-charge Kumari Selja, Deputy CM TS Singh Deo, PCC president Deepak Baij and others.