Rahul Gandhi Slams NDA Government, Calls for Caste-Based Census in Bihar

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique of the NDA-led state government on Monday, alleging that the BJP and its allies had failed to ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities for all the people of Bihar. Speaking at a gathering in Patna, Gandhi advocated for the implementation of a caste-based census in Bihar, highlighting its importance for understanding the socio-economic conditions of various communities.

Drawing a parallel to Telangana, where a caste-based census had already been conducted, Gandhi pointed out that such data had resulted in increased reservation quotas for underrepresented communities. His comments come ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections later this year, as the Congress seeks to raise issues of social justice and equitable development.

“If you are a Dalit, a member of the backward classes, a tribal, a minority, or a woman, you are treated as a second-class citizen in this country unless you hail from the upper classes. This is not a baseless claim. I have carefully observed the prevailing system, debated it, and arrived at this conclusion after thorough reflection,” Gandhi stated.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha further emphasised that the caste-based census in Telangana had allowed the government to better understand the state’s demographic profile, leading to more inclusive policies. “In Telangana, once we had the data, we increased the reservation quotas. Modiji doesn’t want such data to be accessible to the people. We changed the politics surrounding caste representation in Telangana, and it’s something the BJP is afraid of,” Gandhi added.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi participated in the "Payalayan Roko, Naukri Do Yatra" (Stop Migration, Give Jobs March), an initiative organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). The march aimed to raise concerns about the migration of youth in search of better opportunities due to a lack of employment prospects in the state. Joining Gandhi in the protest was Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been vocal about issues surrounding youth unemployment in Bihar.

“There is immense enthusiasm among the youth of Bihar to achieve something, but there is also deep anger towards the government for failing to provide them with the opportunities and support they need. The frustration and determination of thousands of young people were clearly visible during the ‘Stop Migration, Provide Jobs’ rally in Begusarai. This is no longer just a voice against unemployment—it's a cry for change. Bihar’s youth will not remain silent any longer. They will not tolerate injustice, and they will fight for their rights, employment, and justice,” Gandhi said, taking to the social media platform X.​