Rahul hits out at Modi over OBC welfare, vows caste survey in Chhattisgarh

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not conducting a caste survey to ensure benefits for other backward classes (OBCs) and criticizes BJP for using the term 'vanvasi' instead of 'adivasi' for tribals.

Updated on: Nov 9, 2023, 06:48:13 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls himself an OBC (other backward class) leader but shies away from holding a caste survey to ensure the availability of the government’s socio-economic benefits to them, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday.

Addressing a rally in Ambikapur constituency of poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Gandhi also alleged the BJP calls the tribals ‘vanvasi’ instead of ‘adivasi’ as it does not want them to “dream big”.

Voting in Chattisgarh is being held in two phases. While the first phase was held on Tuesday, the second phase will be conducted on November 17. The results will be announced on December 3.

“… Modi ji calls himself an OBC leader in every speech and also boasts about OBC welfare. When we demanded a caste census, he said there is only one caste, that is the ‘poor’. So why do you call yourself an OBC ? If there is only one caste, then who are those who are rich,” the Congress leader told the crowd.

He promised to hold a caste survey, akin to the one held in Bihar, the details of which were shared by the Nitish Kumar government on Tuesday, if the Congress is voted to power in Chhattisgarh. He also promised to hold the exercise at the national level if the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (of which Congress is a part) is elected at the Centre in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

“BJP used the ‘vanvasi’ term for adivasis. There is a huge difference between ‘vanvasi’ and ‘adivasi’. You must have that video in which a BJP leader urinated on a tribal man (in Madhya Pradesh). They don’t urinate on animals but they do such acts with tribals. This is the mindset of the BJP,” Gandhi said.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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