Rahul Gandhi admits lapse on OBC inclusion, vows caste census 'X-ray' in all Congress-ruled states

In a rare moment of political self-reflection, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has openly acknowledged a major lapse in his two-decade-long political journey — failing to grasp and address the struggles of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Pledging to correct that mistake, he announced that all Congress-governed states would soon carry out caste-based surveys to “X-ray the structure of Indian society.”

Speaking at the ‘Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan’ at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, Gandhi said he alone was responsible for the delay in pushing for a caste census — not the Congress party. “Had I understood your history earlier, I would have ensured the caste census happened years ago. That was my mistake, and I own it. I’m correcting it now,” he told a packed audience of OBC community members and Congress supporters.

The event marked a turning point in the Congress narrative, placing OBC justice and representation front and center in its political pitch. Gandhi praised the Telangana caste survey conducted by the Congress-led state government, calling it a “political earthquake” whose aftershocks will be felt nationwide. “It’s a historic moment. And it’s just the beginning,” he said.

‘OBCs built India — what did they get in return?’

Reflecting on past legislative efforts like the Land Acquisition Bill, MGNREGA, and the Food Security Act, Gandhi said he had long championed the rights of Dalits and Adivasis but failed to fully comprehend the “invisible oppression” endured by OBCs.

“You build the country’s roads, grow its food, power its engines — but where is your place in power, in boardrooms, in Parliament?” he asked, citing data from the Telangana caste survey that revealed severe underrepresentation of OBCs in high-income and leadership roles.

Instead, he said, OBCs are overrepresented in gig work, informal labour, and low-wage MGNREGA employment, and drastically underrepresented in top-tier corporate jobs and government leadership.

RSS is your biggest enemy, Gandhi tells OBC youth

In a scathing attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gandhi accused them of deliberately erasing the historical identity of OBCs. He urged young OBCs to understand their roots and challenge systemic exclusion.

“The RSS is your biggest enemy. They fear your awakening — they know that once you know who you are, their structure of power will collapse,” he declared.

He also launched a personal critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a manufactured image. “He’s all show, no substance. I’ve met him — there’s nothing there. You’ve given him too much importance,” Gandhi said, drawing applause from the crowd.

‘We will break the 50% cap’: Congress pushes for reservation reform

Gandhi reiterated the Congress’s pledge to remove the 50% ceiling on caste-based reservations, which he argued unfairly limits representation for historically disadvantaged communities. He said the data from ongoing caste surveys would form the bedrock for real-time policy decisions and affirmative action, reflecting the true demographic makeup of India.

Leaders from across the Congress spectrum — including Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Sachin Pilot — shared the stage with Gandhi, signaling a unified push around the caste census plank.

“The age of data-driven justice is here,” Gandhi said. “And OBCs will no longer be left behind.”