On Monday, after the Bihar caste survey results were out, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said rights should be given to people based on their population.
“The caste census of Bihar has revealed that OBC (other backward classes), SC and STs are 84 per cent there. Out of 90 secretaries of the Central Government, only three are OBCs, who handle only 5 per cent of India’s budget,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
“Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. Jitni abadi, utna haq – this is our pledge,” the Lok Sabha MP from Kerala’s Wayanad said.
However, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi today differed with Rahul Gandhi’s idea and warned about the possible negative consequences of such a move.
“Equality of opportunity is never the same as equality of outcomes. People endorsing #jitniabadiutnahaq have to first completely understand the consequences of it. It will eventually culminate into majoritarianism,” Singhvi posted on X.
The Congress leader later deleted his tweet and said caste census is important.
“I didn’t take a different stand. We have supported it and we will continue to support it. All the Court orders that have come say that decisions should be taken on the basis of facts. How will that happen if there are no facts? So, for facts, it is essential for caste census to take place,” Singhvi said.
“I am only saying that it should be streamlined,” Singhvi clarified.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also attacked Rahul’s idea of giving rights to social groups according to their population.
Addressing the ‘Parivartan Mahasankalp’ rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar district in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, PM Modi attacked the idea and questioned if it will be possible to ensure the rights according to the population.
“Should Hindus take all the rights? Congress should clarify whether the rights will be given according to the population. Does Congress want to remove minorities or take away their rights?” the PM asked.
The release of Bihar caste survey results yesterday led to renewed demands for national caste census by several leaders.
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Union minister Lalu Prasad asserted that if the opposition was voted to power in the next Lok Sabha elections, a nation-wide caste survey would be held.
The BJP has accused the opposition of trying to divide the society on caste lines.
(With inputs from agencies)