Thu Mar 20 16:47:09 UTC 2025: ## Rahul Gandhi Calls Opposition to Caste Census “Anti-National”
**New Delhi, March 20, 2025** – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has declared opposition to a nationwide caste census “anti-national,” marking a strong stance on the contentious issue. In a video released on the 98th anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar’s Mahad Satyagraha, Gandhi engaged in a conversation with former University Grants Commission chairman, Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat.
Gandhi argued that a caste census is crucial for understanding and addressing systemic inequalities in India across education, healthcare, politics, and bureaucracy. He believes that obstructing such an undertaking prevents a truthful assessment of power structures and access to resources, thereby hindering national progress.
“There is certainly a capture of our systems… To me, that is a fundamental nationalist exercise. I think not supporting the caste census is anti-national,” Gandhi stated.
His comments coincide with the Congress party’s focus on social justice and the caste census as a key election plank in the recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the BJP hasn’t explicitly opposed the census, it has expressed concerns about potential societal divisions.
Gandhi further discussed the need for a more sophisticated caste census with Prof. Thorat, who is involved in analyzing the results of a similar survey conducted by the Telangana government. He also met with a delegation representing 30,000 public sector employees, highlighting the Congress party’s continued engagement with marginalized communities.
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