Rahul Gandhi states representation low for 88% of population in key segments
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Palghar: Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress, stated on Friday that 88% of Indians were members of OBC, Dalit, tribal, and backward communities; nevertheless, they had relatively little involvement in the media, court, administration, and other fields.
Speaking to a gathering in Wada taluka, Palghar district, Maharashtra, during his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' Gandhi asserted that a mere 6% of the population held both authority and the nation's wealth.
The Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala said private insurance companies, and not farmers, benefit from crop insurance schemes launched by the government.
When rains and hailstorms cause damage to crops, the affected farmers do not get any help despite the government paying a huge amount of premium to insurance companies, he said.
The former Congress president emphasised on a nationwide caste census to do away with imbalances in administration and other sectors and added that if the Congress was voted to power at the Centre, it would conduct such an exercise.
Gandhi said OBC, Dalit, tribal and backward communities constitute 88 per cent of the country's population but their representation in different sectors, including administration, media and judiciary, remains very low.
The Congress MP questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his contribution to the welfare of OBCs.
"The poor are looted through GST (Goods and Services Tax)," he alleged.
While acquiring lands for various projects, it is the poor sections of society, and not rich industrialists, who get affected, said Gandhi, whose yatra is in its last phase.
As part of his yatra, Gandhi went around predominantly tribal areas of Palghar district, which is located adjoining Mumbai, and covered, Mokhada, Jawhar and Wada towns, where he was greeted by local residents.
On Saturday, Gandhi will address a gathering in Thane city and then travel to Mumbai, where his yatra, which started from Manipur on January 14, will conclude with a rally on March 17.
With PTI inputs
