In Caste Census Pitch, Rahul Gandhi Calls Merit System An 'Upper Class Narrative'; BJP Retorts
Rahul recalled Dr BR Ambedkar's historic Mahad Satyagraha and stated that caste census is an important step towards bringing out the "truth of inequality and discrimination".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned the merit system in India, highlighting the struggles of dalits and tribals for equal access to governance and education. Further calling the merit system “unfair and completely flawed", the Leader of Opposition slammed those opposing the caste census and accused them of wanting to hide the truth.
“There is a completely flawed concept of merit where I confuse my social position with my capability. For anybody to say that our education system or our bureaucratic entry systems are fair to dalits, OBCs and tribals – that’s just complete fallacy," Rahul Gandhi was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol.
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“The entire narrative is an upper caste narrative. This notion of merit is, actually, itself an unfair idea," he added during his interaction with Professor Sukhadeo Thorat.
Rahul further recalled Dr BR Ambedkar’s historic Mahad Satyagraha and stated that caste census is an important step towards bringing out the “truth of inequality and discrimination".
He also shared the video of the entire interview on X and wrote, “The fight for share that began 98 years ago continues. On 20 March 1927, Babasaheb Ambedkar directly challenged caste discrimination through the Mahad Satyagraha. This was not just a fight for the right to water, but also for equality and respect."
BJP Reacts
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s statement, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to X and wrote, “Does Rahul Gandhi even know what he speaks? The dolt just ran down millions of people who come from poor and socially marginalised backgrounds and rise up in life on the dint of merit and sheer hard work."
“But how can one expect an entitled dynast to even understand what it means to compete and excel?" he questioned.
BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan also slammed Congress and said that Rahul Gandhi’s shocking outburst on merit clearly exposes the nepotistic and feudal mindset of his party.
“The dynastic Congress has always historically abused and insulted meritorious leaders belonging to the SC, ST, and OBC communities who progressed in public life through their hard work and sheer commitment. The Congress party has always harboured a ‘Dalit Virodhi’ mindset and the Congress party always tries to crush merit," he added.
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