Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on his second visit to Bihar in 19 days, questioned the state’s caste census, stating, “We will not get the caste census done in Bihar. If you want to see it, look at the caste census in Telangana.”
Speaking at the birth anniversary celebration of freedom fighter Jaglal Chaudhary at Sri Krishna Memorial Hall, Gandhi addressed issues of Dalit representation and accused the Modi government of depriving marginalized communities of their rights.
During his 15-minute speech, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and extremely backward classes were being taken away. “The first step to securing rights in institutions is a caste census. We will conduct it,” he asserted.
Earlier, during his January 18 visit, Gandhi had dismissed Bihar’s caste survey as “fake.”
Key Points from Rahul Gandhi’s Speech
1. Dalits in History Books
Gandhi criticized the limited representation of Dalits in history. “We have only read two lines about Dalits in history books—Dalit and untouchable. Do you have no history? Will your pain be erased in two lines?” he questioned.
He narrated an example from the United States, where white students outperformed black students in an exam. However, when an African professor set the questions, white students failed. He used this to highlight systemic biases.
2. Lack of Dalit Representation in Power
The Congress leader accused the Modi government of avoiding a nationwide caste census to suppress the participation of marginalized communities. “How much participation do Dalits have in India’s power structures—in education, healthcare, corporate India, and the judiciary? People say Dalits have representation, but they are not included in decision-making positions.”
3. Dalit Leadership in Business and Politics
Displaying a copy of the Constitution, Gandhi said, “RSS and BJP leaders bow before the Constitution in public, but conspire to weaken it behind the scenes.”
He called for increased Dalit leadership, stating, “Dalits should also be among the owners of India’s top 10 companies.” He further alleged, “Modi waived off ₹16 lakh crore of 25 industrialists, taking money from the pockets of Dalits and backward classes. Yet, not a single Dalit is on that list. Dalits have no representation in the media.”
Slip-Up Over Jaglal Chaudhary’s Name
During his address, Rahul Gandhi mistakenly referred to Jaglal Chaudhary as “Jagat Lal” twice. After being corrected by the audience, he apologized and rectified the mistake.
Meeting with Shakeel Ahmed
Following the event, Gandhi visited the residence of Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, whose son Ayan had recently died by suicide. He met Khan for over an hour, where NDA MP Upendra Kushwaha and Congress MP Ranjita Ranjan were also present.
Before departing for Delhi in the evening, Gandhi briefly rested at Hotel Maurya.
Who Was Jaglal Chaudhary?
Jaglal Chaudhary, from the Dalit Pasi community, was a freedom fighter who joined Congress while studying medicine. He supported his family by selling toddy and later became Bihar’s Excise Minister, implementing prohibition for the first time in the state.
