Rahul Gandhi Vows to Scrap 50% Reservation Cap, Amplify Benefits for Marginalized Communities
Ratlam, 6th May 2024: In a rally at Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, announced plans to eliminate the Supreme Court’s imposed 50 % cap on caste-based reservations and enhance quota benefits for individuals from Dalit, backwards, and tribal communities. He emphasized that this election signifies a battle to safeguard the Constitution, alleging that the BJP and RSS seek to alter or abolish it, while the Congress and INDIA bloc strive to preserve it. Gandhi highlighted the Constitution’s provisions granting rights concerning water, forests, and land, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of aiming to undermine these rights.
Gandhi’s declaration follows a heated debate between the NDA and the INDIA bloc regarding reservation policies. The BJP, led by Modi, has accused the Congress of intending to manipulate reservations to favour Muslims, an allegation the Congress refutes. At a rally in Banaskantha, Gujarat, Modi challenged Gandhi and his party to pledge against misusing reservations based on religion.
During the Ratlam rally, Gandhi criticized the media for allegedly neglecting reports of atrocities against Adivasis, attributing this to the absence of Adivasis in media organizations. He highlighted the underrepresentation of marginalized communities in government bureaucracy and corporate sectors, pledging to rectify this through a caste census and economic survey.
Gandhi also promised farmers relief through guaranteed Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and loan waivers, asserting that these measures would significantly improve their lives.
Ratlam will vote on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. The Congress has nominated former MP and Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria, while Anita Nagar Singh Chauhan is the BJP’s candidate, seeking to retain the seat won in the 2019 election.
