By Vishwapati
Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the birth anniversary celebrations of Jaglal Chaudhary on Wednesday, where he strongly criticised the Modi government and spoke about Dalit welfare. Addressing the gathering, he accused the government of being anti-Dalit, stating, “Dalits have representation in the country, but they do not have participation in the power structure. In such a situation, this representation holds no meaning.”
Modi Government Opposes Caste Census, Says Rahul Gandhi
Reiterating the demand for a caste census, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Modi government does not want a caste census in the country, but I want Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis to get their rightful participation.” He highlighted that caste enumeration should not be limited to Bihar but should also be implemented in Telangana.
Holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand, he alleged that the RSS and BJP “bow before the Constitution in public but secretly conspire to dismantle it.” He further stressed the need for Dalit leadership in India’s key institutions, asserting that “Dalits should also be among the owners of the country’s top 10 companies.”
Dalit Representation in Leadership Roles
Rahul Gandhi made a significant statement advocating for greater Dalit leadership in India’s institutions and leading corporations. He expressed his vision of a future where Dalits hold leadership positions across sectors, including the nation’s top companies.
India is a democratic country where every citizen has equal rights. However, the Dalit community has historically faced social, economic, and educational disadvantages. Although the Constitution guarantees them rights to equality and reservations, their presence in leadership roles remains limited. Encouraging Dalit leadership in major companies and institutions would not only promote social justice and inclusion but also contribute to the nation’s overall development.
Rahul Gandhi’s statement reflects the need for equal opportunities in society. He urged both the government and the private sector to take concrete steps to empower the Dalit community, ensuring their active participation in India’s progress.
Dalit Representation in the Media
During the celebrations at SKM Hall in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Rahul Gandhi also criticised the lack of Dalit representation in the media. He claimed, “The Modi government waived off ₹16 lakh crore of debt for 25 individuals, but there is not a single Dalit on that list. Dalits have no participation in the media industry.”
He further explained that major media houses are run by powerful business groups that receive government advertisements, indirectly benefiting from state funding.
Jaglal Chaudhary, in whose memory the event was held, belonged to the Dalit community and came from the Pasi caste. He earned a living by selling toddy and, as Bihar’s Excise Minister, was the first to introduce prohibition in the state.
Rahul Gandhi’s Recent Bihar Visits
This was Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to Bihar in just 19 days. On January 18, he attended the Constitution Protection Conference in Patna and later visited the Congress party’s state office at Sadaquat Ashram. There, he met Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Dashrath Manjhi—popularly known as the Mountain Man.
A few days later, Bhagirath Manjhi quit the Janata Dal (United) and joined the Congress in Delhi.
- The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com