My mistake we couldn't get caste census done earlier; correcting it now: Rahul Gandhi at OBC meet
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday acknowledged that it was his "mistake" and not that of the party that they could not get a caste census conducted earlier, saying he is correcting that now.
Gandhi further said he committed a "mistake" in his political career of 21 years, which is not protecting the interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) section as much as he should have done.
Addressing a 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' of OBCs at the Talkatora Stadium here, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the caste census in Telangana is a "political earthquake" that will cause a huge "aftershock" in the country.
"I have been doing politics since 2004, it has been 21 years, and when I look back and do a self-analysis, where all I did the right thing and where I fell short. I see two-three big issues -- land acquisition bill, MGNREGA, food bill, fight for tribals, I did these things right," Gandhi said.
"When it comes to Dalits, tribals and minorities, I should get good marks. On women's issues, I should get good marks.
"But when I look back, I can see clearly that in one thing I was lacking, I committed one mistake -- I did not protect the OBC section the way I should have," Gandhi said.
He said he could not understand the issues of the OBC section deeply 10-15 years ago.
"I understood Dalit problems, which are clear; one can understand issues of STs also clearly. The issues of OBCs are hidden.
"I regret that if I had known more about your history and issues, I would have gotten the caste census done. That is my mistake and not that of the Congress. I am going to correct that mistake," Gandhi said.
He, however, added that in a way, it is better that the caste census was not done earlier, as it would not have been done in the manner it would be done now following the Telangana example.
"The caste census in Telangana is a political earthquake. It has shaken the political ground of the country. You have not felt its aftershock but the impact will be there," Gandhi said.
"We will conduct a caste census and an X-ray of the population in all Congress-ruled states," he said.
मैंने ठान लिया है कि देश की उत्पादक शक्ति को सम्मान और हिस्सेदारी दिलाकर रहूंगा। जो काम OBC वर्ग के लिए अबतक नहीं कर पाया, उसे दोगुनी स्पीड से करूंगा। pic.twitter.com/qoNlG2k5As
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 25, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
