Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Miss India List and Urges for Caste Census

Congress Leader Calls for Inclusivity and Policy Reform

In a recent address at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP, highlighted a significant gap in the Miss India list. He noted the absence of Dalit, tribal, or OBC women, and criticized the media for its focus on entertainment rather than on pressing social issues such as the plight of farmers and laborers.

Caste Census: A Tool for Policy Making

Gandhi emphasized that a comprehensive caste census is essential for effective policy making. According to him, the census will not only provide an accurate demographic picture but also help in understanding wealth distribution and the participation of various communities, including OBCs, Dalits, and workers, in key sectors like bureaucracy, judiciary, and media.

“90 percent of the population is disconnected from the system despite having skills and knowledge,” Gandhi remarked. He argued that the lack of representation of marginalized groups in the Miss India list reflects a broader systemic issue.

Congress’s Election Promises

In its Lok Sabha election manifesto, the Congress party promised a nationwide socio-economic caste census to detail the conditions of various castes and sub-castes. Additionally, Gandhi reiterated earlier promises of a financial and institutional survey to assess wealth distribution if Congress comes to power.

Political Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized Gandhi’s proposals, accusing the Congress of aiming to redistribute the nation’s wealth to ‘infiltrators’ and ‘those with more children’. Modi’s remarks underscore the ongoing political debate surrounding the implementation of such surveys and their implications.

This ongoing discourse highlights the broader conversation about inclusivity and equity in India’s socio-economic landscape.