At the Bhaagidari Nyay Sammelan in New Delhi on Friday, Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the RSS and BJP, accusing them of deliberately erasing the history of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—a group he described as the "productive force" of the country, along with Dalits and Adivasis.

Key Highlights from Rahul Gandhi’s Address:

• OBCs sidelined: Rahul said these communities have not received the fruits of their labor and have been pushed to the margins.

• Caste census commitment: He announced that all Congress-ruled states will conduct a caste census, calling it a long-overdue “X-ray” of Indian society.

• Personal accountability: Admitting past shortcomings, Rahul said, “It was my mistake, not Congress’s, that we didn’t conduct caste census earlier.”

Telangana caste data shook politics

Referring to the caste census recently conducted in Telangana, Rahul said:

“What we did in Telangana has shaken Indian politics. Its aftershocks will be felt soon.”
He added that the data revealed no OBC, Dalit or Adivasi has received a high-paying corporate job, while most remain in schemes like MNREGA.

Data is the new power

Rahul linked the caste census to the larger conversation on data control:

“The 21st century is the century of data. Earlier it was oil, now data is power. And the government must use it for justice.”

He concluded by saying that while issues of Dalits and Adivasis are more visible, OBC concerns are often hidden, and he is now fully committed to addressing them.

“If I make up my mind about something, I don’t back down,” Rahul said.