Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi government over OBC rights

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified criticism of the Modi administration during parliamentary proceedings, taking aim at what he described as delays and resistance on the caste enumeration and OBC rights front. Gandhi alleged that the government had initially resisted conducting a caste census, a key demand from backward classes and their representatives.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi appeared to draw parallels between growing discontent among OBC communities and the widespread Gen Z-led protests seen in recent years, suggesting that delayed action on caste-related grievances risks triggering mass mobilization. The remarks underscore increasing tensions between the opposition and government over the implementation of OBC-related welfare schemes and the conduct of comprehensive caste data collection.

The caste census issue has emerged as a significant political flashpoint, with various backward classes organizations pressing the government to conduct a fresh enumeration to update demographic and socio-economic data. Gandhi's comments reflect broader Congress strategy to position itself as a defender of OBC interests ahead of upcoming electoral contests and to highlight what the party views as governance failures on social inclusion matters.

The government has faced mounting pressure from multiple quarters to undertake the census exercise, which opposition parties argue would help formulate more targeted and equitable welfare policies. The Modi administration has previously indicated constraints in conducting the exercise within the existing constitutional and administrative frameworks.