Washington D.C.: In a recent talk at Georgetown University, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi discussed the future of reservation policies in India, emphasizing their necessity until the country achieves fairness. Gandhi addressed students on the continuing relevance of reservations and the broader issue of economic inequality in India.
“We will think of scrapping reservations when India is a fair place. And India is not a fair place,” Gandhi asserted. He highlighted the severe financial disparities faced by tribal communities, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), pointing out that their share of economic resources is disproportionately small. “When you look at the financial numbers, tribals get 10 paise out of 100 rupees; Dalits get 5 rupees out of 100 rupees, and OBCs get a similar number. The fact of the matter is that they’re not getting participation,” he noted.
Gandhi further criticized the economic power structure in India, citing a lack of representation from marginalized communities. He observed that among the top 200 business leaders in the country, only one is from the OBC community, despite OBCs comprising 50 percent of the population. This, he argued, reflects a broader issue of limited access to economic opportunities and influence.
Addressing the broader issue of inequality, Gandhi acknowledged that reservation is only one component of a solution. He advocated for decentralizing power, increasing opportunities, and expanding governance to include a wider segment of society. He also remarked on the barriers to entering elite economic circles, saying, “With all due respect, I don’t think any of you are ever going to become Adani or Ambani. There’s a reason for that. You can’t. Because those doors are closed.”
When questioned about the BJP’s proposal for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Gandhi was non-committal, stating, “We haven’t seen it. We have no idea what they’re talking about. For us to comment on it doesn’t make sense. When they pull it out, then we’ll have a look and comment on it.”
Gandhi also discussed the unity within the INDIA coalition, acknowledging existing differences but emphasizing their shared goals. “We agree that the Constitution of India should be defended. Most of us agree on the idea of the caste census. We agree that two businesspeople, namely Adani and Ambani, shouldn’t run every single business in India,” he concluded.
Published – September 10, 2024
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