Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday expressed his aspiration to see Dalits and marginalized communities take on leadership roles in every institution across India. Speaking at a ceremony honoring freedom fighter and Dalit icon Jaglal Choudhary on his birth anniversary in Patna, Gandhi also emphasized the urgent need for a nationwide caste census.
Gandhi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of opposing the Constitution, which, he claimed, protects the rights of Dalits and weaker sections.
“The current power structures and institutions in the country lack representation from Dalits and other oppressed communities,” he remarked. “A caste census is essential to determine the accurate population of Dalits, minorities, and underprivileged groups.”
The Congress leader, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, arrived in Patna on Wednesday morning after casting his vote in the Delhi assembly elections.
“I look forward to the day when Dalits and marginalized communities hold leadership positions across all institutions in India. I will persist in my fight to uplift and empower the downtrodden,” Gandhi affirmed.
