Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra enters Gujarat

Addressing a gathering of tribals in Jhalod, where he will put up for the night before kicking off his padayatra in Dahod on Friday morning, Rahul Gandhi said that although 73 per cent of the country was made up of backward classes, tribals, and Dalits, none of the top positions in the country were held by individuals from these caste groups.

He then said, “India is made up of 50 per cent backward classes, 8 per cent tribals, 15 per cent Dalits… But if you check the list of the top management of the industries or the owners of companies, businesses, hospitals, or media houses, you will find none… Even in government offices, you will only find two or three persons from these communities. Where is the representation? That is why a caste census is necessary… But the moment I mentioned that the caste census should be undertaken so that Indians know who has control of the country’s money, (Prime Minister) Modiji said there is no caste in India… Then why does he call himself an OBC?”

Raising the issue of the Ram Mandir inauguration, Rahul Gandhi said, “You all saw the Ram Mandir inauguration but did you see the President of India there? Why was she not allowed to enter? It was because she was a tribal so she was prohibited… Did you see any poor farmer, labourers? But you saw RSS leaders inside the temple and you saw in attendance the Adanis, Ambanis, and the whole of Bollywood and cricket fraternity. Did you see any poor person?”

The Congress leader also attacked the Centre’s Agniveer recruitment scheme introduced in June 2022, stating that the government was “trying to reduce the allocation for defence training.”

He said, “They intend to train an Agniveer for six months and send them to fight Chinese troops who will train for four years… If the Agniveer dies, he will not get the status of a martyr like a regular Army personnel nor will his family get any pension… Do you think such a person will fight well knowing this? But they want to reduce the money spent on training and spend it to buy weapons… all the money is going to one person. The weapons are now manufactured in Israel, where (Gautam) Adani has a joint venture. First ordnance factory manufactured defence equipment now Adani will make rifles, grenades, and defence equipment and the Indian Army will buy…”

The Wayanad MP also attacked the NDA-led Union government on a host of issues including unemployment, inflation, GST, and demonetisation.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi’s yatra will proceed to Limkheda, Godhra, Kalol, and Halol, where he will also pay obeisance at a temple. The yatra will then proceed to Bodeli in Chhota Udepur, where he will halt for the night before continuing his journey to South Gujarat on Saturday.