Image Credit: Courtesy Rahul Gandhi Via X
Washington, D.C.: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for a caste census during his U.S. visit, raising the issue in an interaction with students and faculty at Georgetown University.
Gandhi underscored the lack of representation for marginalized communities—Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis—in India's key institutions, and called for a comprehensive census to address this inequality.
Key Facts:
- Gandhi called for a caste census to ensure fair representation for marginalized communities in India’s governance and economy.
- He met with U.S. lawmakers and key figures, including Congressman Ro Khanna and diplomat Donald Lu, as part of his efforts to strengthen international ties.
- Gandhi's focus on caste representation reflects the Congress Party's broader push for reforms that integrate 90% of India's population into the system.
Caste Census: An Urgent Need for Representation
During his speech at Georgetown University, Gandhi described India as an unfair place for the vast majority of its population, which remains underrepresented in business, government, and media.
He cited statistics showing that marginalized groups—comprising 90% of the population—hold almost no significant positions in Indian governance.
Gandhi also explained the three components of the caste census: an institutional survey, a socio-economic survey, and the census itself.
Political Engagement and Legislative Meetings
Gandhi’s U.S. tour also included meetings with U.S. lawmakers at the Rayburn House Office Building, where he discussed various global and bilateral issues.
The tour, which took him to multiple universities and diaspora events, focused on advocating for a caste census in India as an essential step toward social justice and fairness.
Rahul Gandhi's focus on caste representation during his U.S. visit is a clear signal of the Congress Party’s commitment to addressing structural inequalities in India.
His push for a caste census seeks to ensure that marginalized communities receive fair representation in government, education, and business.
The discussion has sparked renewed interest in the role of caste in India's institutional framework, making it a pivotal issue for upcoming elections.