Rahul calls for ‘caste census’ after Telangana accepts 42% OBC reservation

Following the passage of two bills by the Telangana Assembly on Tuesday to increase the reservation for Other Backward Classes to 42 percent, Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi described it as “revolutionary” and stated that the Congress Party will work towards implementing a caste census in India.

“The Congress government has fulfilled its promise of increasing OBC reservations in Telangana. The actual number of OBC community obtained through scientific caste count in the state was accepted and a bill for 42 per cent reservation was passed in the Assembly to ensure their equal participation in education, employment and politics. This is indeed a revolutionary step towards social justice through which the wall of 50 per cent reservation in the state has also been demolished,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

“By analysing the social and economic conditions of each community using the caste survey data, policies will be formulated that will ensure the well-being of all. The Telangana government has also formed an independent expert group for this. I have been continuously saying that only through X-ray – i.e. caste census – backward and deprived communities can get their due rights,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi asserted that Telangana has shown the way, this is what the whole country needs.

“Caste census will definitely happen in India, we will get it done,” the LoP said.

In a post on X, CM Reddy said, “Telangana is proud to lead the social revolution in #India It is my honour to announce the longest pending demand of the subaltern groups since Indian Independence, the yearning of our brothers and sisters belonging to the Backward Castes, on being counted & recognised in an official census – has finally found deliverance”

“Today, as the Leader of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, as Chief Minister, I solemnly declare that based on the most scientific, methodically rigorous, and excruciating efforts of our people, we can say that the OBCs population in #Telangana is 56.36 per cent,” CM Reddy said.

“We are now resolving to ensure 42 per cent reservations for this Group in all walks of life – education, jobs and employment & political representation. Be on the right side of history & let each one of us become a champion of this historic move,” CM Reddy said.

Reddy stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the promise of enhancement of BC reservation to 42 per cent if Congress is voted to power. Soon after assuming power, the government launched the BC caste census on February 4, 2024, CM Reddy said, as per an official statement from his office.