Rahul Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Shivaji Statue Collapse, Promises To Remove 50% Reservation Cap

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a veiled but sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accused the government of undermining the Constitution while pretending to uphold the values of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Samman Sammelan' in Kolhapur on Saturday, Gandhi criticised the current regime, alleging that they have been systematically destroying the Constitution and institutions of the country, all while using symbolic gestures to mislead the public.

Gandhi began by holding up a copy of the Indian Constitution, calling it a manifestation of the ideas championed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "There are two ideologies in this country," Gandhi said. "One defends the Constitution, promoting equality and unity, which reflects Shivaji Maharaj's ideals. The other ideology works to tear the Constitution apart, disrespecting the values it represents."

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Though Gandhi did not directly name PM Modi, his remarks came just days after PM Modi's apology regarding the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan. PM Modi unveiled the statue in December 2023, but it collapsed on August 26, causing embarrassment for the central government. Referring to this incident, Gandhi remarked, "They built Shivaji Maharaj's statue, but in a few days, it collapsed. Why? Because their intentions are wrong. You cannot bow before Shivaji Maharaj and, at the same time, work against what he stood for."

He accused the ruling party of using Shivaji Maharaj's name for political gain while attacking the very institutions that protect the people. "Shivaji Maharaj stood for unity and equality. If you bow before his statue, you should be protecting the Constitution, which represents his ideas. But instead, they destroy it every day. They get up in the morning and plan how to attack the Constitution," Gandhi asserted.

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The Congress leader then shifted focus to the social and economic disparities in the country, reiterating the party's commitment to removing the 50 per cent cap on reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. "We will ensure that the 50 per cent cap on reservations is lifted, both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, once we come to power. This step is essential to protect the Constitution and ensure equality for all," Gandhi said, in a clear nod to his party's pro-reservation stance.

A day after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar called for increasing the reservation quota to 75 per cent, Gandhi made a similar promise, emphasising that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition, which includes Congress, will ensure that the law is passed in Parliament. He argued that removing the cap on reservations would help empower Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and other marginalised communities.

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Gandhi went on to call for a caste-based census, which would identify the population of each community and analyse their representation in the country's financial and political systems. He pointed out that despite OBCs making up over 50 per cent of the population, their representation in top government positions remains minimal. "90 per cent of the country's budget is controlled by around 90 top IAS officers, but only three of them are from the OBC community. This is despite the fact that OBCs form a significant part of the population," Gandhi said. He also highlighted the lack of representation for Dalits and Adivasis in top decision-making roles.

In his speech, Gandhi also touched upon the erasure of Dalit and OBC history from school curriculums, accusing the government of trying to hide the contributions of these communities. "The history of skilled workforces such as barbers, cobblers, and factory workers is not included in our education system. There's nothing in the syllabus that talks about their struggles or contributions," he said. Gandhi added that his own education was limited in this regard, and now, even the little that remains of Dalit and OBC history is being erased.

Gandhi's remarks come ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, scheduled for November. His criticism of Modi's government and the emphasis on reservations and caste census reflects the Congress party's broader strategy to win over Dalits, OBCs, and other marginalised communities in the state. This was Gandhi's second visit to western Maharashtra within a month, signalling the importance of the region in the upcoming elections. His previous visit to Sangli was to unveil a statue of late Congress leader Patangrao Kadam.

In closing, Gandhi reiterated his party's commitment to protecting the Constitution and ensuring that the marginalised communities of India receive the representation they deserve. He argued that the Congress and the INDIA alliance represent the ideology of unity, while the ruling party's ideology is one of division and destruction.