Rahul Gandhi Admits Past Mistake, Vows Caste Census Revolution to Empower OBCs

New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has sparked a new wave of political discourse by publicly acknowledging his failure to prioritize a caste census during his two-decade-long political career. Addressing a massive OBC-focused rally — Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan — at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, Gandhi called it a personal mistake and pledged to lead a nationwide push to correct it.

In a candid address, Gandhi said he had failed to fully understand the scale of exclusion faced by the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) despite championing other social causes like land rights, MGNREGA, and tribal welfare. He told the audience that the lack of a caste-based data framework had deprived millions of their rightful share in policy and resources.

“This was not the Congress Party’s failure; this was my own. I should have pushed for it much earlier,” Gandhi said, adding that the recent caste census in Telangana had triggered what he called a “political earthquake” and served as a template for what the Congress plans in all its ruled states.

Gandhi further announced that Congress governments will not only carry out caste-based population surveys but also challenge the 50% reservation ceiling currently imposed, calling it “an outdated restriction in a data-driven world.”

The Telangana caste census, which he hailed as “a mirror to society,” reportedly revealed a deep imbalance in the representation of OBC, SC, and ST communities — particularly in high-income sectors like corporate leadership and administration. Gandhi contrasted this with their overwhelming presence in low-wage sectors such as MGNREGA jobs and gig work.

Gandhi also used the platform to take a direct swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the media had exaggerated Modi’s political image. “He’s not the real issue. You’ve been made to believe he’s invincible — he’s not,” he said.

Appealing to the OBC youth, Gandhi alleged that the RSS has systematically erased OBC contributions from Indian history to keep the community politically subdued. “Once you know your power, you’ll know who has truly kept you out,” he said, urging young OBCs to unite and reclaim their space in India’s social fabric.

Several senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, and leaders like Sachin Pilot, were present at the gathering — a clear show of strength ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in key states.