During his visit to the US, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for a caste census and linked the continuation of reservation policies to fairness in India.
At Georgetown University in Washington DC, Gandhi argued that a caste census is crucial to assess how well lower castes, backward castes, and Dalits are integrated into Indian society. He highlighted the lack of representation of these groups in top businesses, the judiciary, and media.
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Gandhi outlined that the caste census should include an institutional survey, a socio-economic survey, and a census. He stressed that the goal is to understand the actual participation of these groups in various sectors and to examine the structure and ownership of institutions like media, healthcare, and education.
In response to a question about alternatives to caste-based reservations, Gandhi presented statistics showing the underrepresentation of Dalits, OBCs, and tribals in key government positions. He stated, “We will consider scrapping reservations only when India is a fair place.”
Gandhi criticized the Indian government for its inadequate representation of diverse groups in the bureaucracy. He argued that the caste census is essential for ensuring fairness and justice, asserting that anything less is unacceptable.