"Will Take Reservation Beyond 50%", Says Rahul Gandhi In US

Congress's Rahul Gandhi, facing backlash over comments perceived as anti-reservation, clarified today that his party aims to "take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent". "Yesterday someone misrepresented my statement that I am against reservation. But let me make it clear - I am not against reservation. We will take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent," he stated during an interview at the National Club in the US.

The controversy began with remarks made during an interaction with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Gandhi had said, "The Congress will think of ending reservation when India is a fair place," adding that India is currently not fair. He highlighted that 90 per cent of India, including OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis, are excluded from significant sectors.

Focus on Caste Census

Explaining the need for a caste census, Gandhi said it is essential to understand how lower castes, backward castes, and Dalits are integrated into the system. "Caste census is a simple exercise to know how the lower castes, backward castes and Dalits are integrated into the system...Out of the top 200 businesses in India, there is almost no ownership of 90 per cent of the population of India. In the highest courts of the country, there is almost no participation of 90 per cent of India. In media, there is zero participation of lower castes, OBCs, Dalits," he explained.

He further elaborated on this by saying, "We want to understand what their social and financial position looks like...We also want to look at the Indian institutions to have a sense of India's participation in these institutions." His comments sparked intense debate back home.

BJP's Response

The BJP accused Gandhi of making anti-national remarks abroad. Union minister Amit Shah criticised him by saying, "Rahul Gandhi's statement lays bare the Congress's politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences." He added that Gandhi's comments reveal Congress's anti-reservation stance.

"By speaking about abolishing reservations in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the Congress's anti-reservation face to the forefront. The thoughts that were in his mind eventually found their way out as words," Shah remarked.

Gandhi's statements have stirred significant political reactions. The BJP has used this opportunity to highlight what they perceive as Congress's divisive politics. Meanwhile, Gandhi maintains his stance on extending reservations beyond current limits and emphasises understanding India's social dynamics through a caste census.