Greater the population, greater the rights': Rahul Gandhi on Bihar's caste-based census

After the Bihar government released the caste survey data, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his call to provide people rights based on their population. The release of the caste survey figures, which have significant implications for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, revealed that the combined population of Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) communities in the state account for 63 per cent of the total population.

"The caste census of Bihar has revealed that OBC + SC + ST are 84% there. Out of 90 secretaries of the Central Government, only 3 are OBC, who handle only 5% of India's budget! Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. The greater the population, the greater the rights – this is our pledge," Rahul Gandhi posted on 'X' (formerly Twitter).

बिहार की जातिगत जनगणना से पता चला है कि वहां OBC + SC + ST 84% हैं।

केंद्र सरकार के 90 सचिवों में सिर्फ़ 3 OBC हैं, जो भारत का मात्र 5% बजट संभालते हैं!

इसलिए, भारत के जातिगत आंकड़े जानना ज़रूरी है। जितनी आबादी, उतना हक़ - ये हमारा प्रण है।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 2, 2023

Oppn dividing society on caste lines: PM Modi

In response to the release of the caste-based census data and the ensuing discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a sharp critique of the opposition, particularly the Congress, without directly naming the party. Speaking at a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, Modi accused the opposition of exploiting caste divisions for six decades and labelled it as a "sin" that continues to be committed.

Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, PM Modi said, "Enemies of development got 6 decades which means 60 years (to rule at the Centre). They failed to deliver the goods. But in nine years (of BJP rule at Centre) enormous development has taken place... and the world is singing the praises of India. When so much work can take place in just nine years, why the same could not take place in all those years?" PM Modi asked.

"They played with the emotions of the poor and divided society on caste lines. They are committing this sin even now," said the PM, hitting out at the opposition.

"When the entire world is praising the country and sees their future in India, there are those who indulge in politics and are unable to see anything except their chair...they do not like India being praised the world over. These anti-development people are trying to prove that nothing has happened in the nation and they have pain in their stomach (over India's praise)... They have only one thing in their mind -- hatred against the nation and its policies. In hate they forget the country's achievements," he said.