In a strong condemnation of the BJP-RSS combine, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the ruling government of manipulating the legacy of Dalit icons like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to deceive the public while actively undermining the Constitution’s values. Gandhi made these remarks during an event in Patna commemorating the 130th birth anniversary of Jaglal Choudhary, a Dalit freedom fighter and Congress activist.
Speaking for around 30 minutes, Gandhi stressed the need for meaningful participation of Dalits, tribals, and OBCs across all sectors of society, asserting that mere political representation was not enough.
He emphasized, “We need to ensure that Dalits, tribals, and backward classes become leaders, not just foot soldiers, in bureaucracy and the private sector.”
Addressing the hypocrisy of the BJP-RSS, Gandhi claimed that despite their public reverence for Ambedkar and the Constitution, their actions contradicted the very ideals Ambedkar stood for.
“Modi and others may bow before Ambedkar’s statue, but their policies attack the principles he espoused,” Gandhi said, pointing to the government’s focus on political representation without granting real power to marginalized communities.
The Congress leader also criticized the lack of Dalit representation in key sectors such as media and education, noting that issues affecting Dalits were often overlooked.
He highlighted that Dalits’ share of national wealth was shockingly small, with only Rs 6.10 out of every Rs 100 benefiting them.
Gandhi further targeted the health sector, accusing the government of allowing the privatization of healthcare, which he claimed primarily benefited wealthy businessmen like Ambani and Adani, while leaving the poor and Dalits underserved.
Reiterating the importance of a caste census, Gandhi emphasized that it was essential for understanding the true status of marginalized communities.
He said, “The caste census is an ‘X-ray’ of our society, and the Modi government is trying to avoid it, but we are determined to push for it.”
Drawing an analogy to the civil rights movement in the United States, Gandhi highlighted how African-American participation in decision-making led to significant societal changes. He argued that similar changes in India could only be achieved when marginalized communities gain real power.
In a minor slip-up, Gandhi referred to Jaglal Choudhary as “Jagat Chaudhary” twice during his speech, which was corrected by a member of the audience.
Additionally, while the event focused on Choudhary’s legacy, Gandhi’s speech did not delve into his contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
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