Congress demands backward classes census for welfare measures

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the ‘Bharose ka Sammelan’ event in Kodtarari, advocated for a census of the backward classes, emphasising its importance in revealing exact details about their status and facilitating welfare measures. Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accusations that Congress aims to divide the country, Kharge confidently predicted that such tactics won’t be effective in the 2024 elections, citing increased public awareness.
Kharge highlighted Congress’s past initiatives, referencing the party’s role in ensuring reservations for women in panchayat bodies. Contradicting BJP’s claims, he pointed out the party’s contributions and challenged the BJP and RSS’s commitment towards women, backward classes, and the poor. Kharge urged them to implement the women’s reservation legislation in Parliament sooner than the predicted 2034. On the topic of the OBC census, Kharge expressed its necessity in understanding the exact needs of various backward classes. “This census will unveil pivotal details enabling the government to take more tailored measures for their welfare,” he explained.
Disputing PM Modi’s claim that such a census aims to divide the nation, Kharge said, “Modi ji, the public is now informed, and such tactics will not endure.”
Recently, PM Modi had accused the Congress of trying to fragment Hindus and jeopardise the country during a rally in Chhattisgarh. The Congress leader did not mince words, addressing PM Modi as the “leader of liars” and accusing him of falsehoods. Concluding his speech, Kharge drew a contrast between the two parties’ guarantees, stating that while BJP ensures public harassment, Congress pledges employment generation and increased support prices for farmers.