'Caste census is necessary to reveal inequality to light': Rahul Gandhi

During a recent interview, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mentioned the Mahad Satyagraha and said it was "not just a fight for access to water but a struggle for equality and dignity"

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi once again reiterated his intent to implement the caste census in the country. He believes it is necessary to reveal the inequality in India. 

 

In an interview with Sukhadeo Thorat, a member of Telangana’s caste survey panel, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday spoke about the need for conducting a caste census in India. Their discussion also touched on BR Ambedkar’s leadership in the fight against caste discrimination.

 

Gandhi referred to the Mahad Satyagraha, stating that it was “not just a fight for access to water but a struggle for equality and dignity”. 

Gandhi also shared his remarks in an X post, "I had a detailed discussion with Prof Thorat, a well-known academician, economist, expert on Dalit issues, and member of the study committee on caste census in Telangana, on the Mahad Satyagraha and the ongoing struggle of Dalits for access to administration, education, bureaucracy and resources."  "Caste census is an important step towards bringing out the truth of inequality and discrimination, which its opponents do not want to be out in public. Babasaheb's dream is still incomplete. His fight is not just for the past, it is a fight for today as well - we will fight it with all our might," the Congress leader added in his post. 

 

 

During the interview, the Congress leader said, “Babasaheb’s dream remains unfulfilled. His fight is not just of the past but also of the present—and we will carry it forward with full strength.”

  

Last month, he said the caste survey in Telangana showed that nearly “90 per cent of the state’s population comprised dalits, adivasis, BCs, and minorities”. He said he believed this would be true across India, with OBCs making up at least 50 per cent of the population.

 

Rahul Gandhi also spoke about the caste census during his speech in Parliament, saying that a new system could only be created once the caste census report is placed before the House. 

ALSO READ | Court issues notice to Rahul over his 'Fight against Indian state' remark

 

Telangana Scheduled Castes Bill 2025

 

Meanwhile, the Telangana Assembly on Tuesday passed the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Bill, 2025, which gives legal approval to the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three groups. Telangana will become the first state to do this after the Supreme Court’s order in August last year, once the governor gives assent to the bill.

 

According to the new law, the state’s 52.17 lakh SC population, made up of 59 castes, will now be divided into three groups.

 

Group-I (15 castes) gets 1 per cent reservation.

 

Group-II (18 castes) gets 9 per cent reservation.

 

Group-III (26 castes) gets 5 per cent reservation.

 

The first group includes the most disadvantaged communities. The second group includes moderately benefited castes, while the last group consists of castes that have gained more from reservations over the years. Most of the first two groups belong to the Madiga community and its sub-castes, while the third group includes the Mala community and its sub-castes.