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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Congress's OBC Panel Bets Big On Caste Census Narrative, Siddaramaiah At Bengaluru Meeting
Calling Rahul Gandhi a 'Nyaya Yoddha', the OBC Advisory Council passed a 3-point resolution that the Congress hopes will define its social justice pitch ahead of the Bihar polls The All India Congress Committee (AICC)'s OBC Advisory Council meeting in Bengaluru on Wednesday saw some major messaging—both ahead of the Bihar elections and as a strong show of support for Siddaramaiah as Karnataka's chief minister. By the end of the one-and-a-half-day meet, the message was loud and clear: the Congress wants to reclaim its Other Backward Classes (OBC) base, push the Centre for a caste census, and back Rahul Gandhi's 'jitni aabadi, utna haq" (rights proportionate to population) campaign. Calling Rahul Gandhi a 'Nyaya Yoddha" (Justice Warrior), the council passed what's now being referred to as the Bengaluru Declaration—a three-point resolution that the party hopes will define its social justice pitch in the run-up to the Bihar polls. The most significant demand in the Bengaluru Declaration was a national-level caste census, to be conducted officially by the Census Commission of India (ORGI). The council said the exercise must go beyond enumeration and include social, economic, educational, employment, and political details, using the Telangana Socio-Educational-Employment-Economic-Political-Caste (SEEEPC) survey model as a reference. Siddaramaiah reminded delegates that Karnataka had already carried out a similar survey under the Kantharaju Commission, initiated in 2015 during his first term and submitted only in 2024. It has since been pushed into cold storage, dismissed as 'dated". But the Congress government has now ordered a fresh survey, expected to be completed by October this year. 'There must be a fight for 75% reservation or proportional representation based on actual data," Siddaramaiah told the leaders. 'We must demand political representation and economic justice—including reservation in private sector jobs, promotions, contracts, schemes, and market access." The second resolution called for breaking the 50% cap on reservations, echoing Rahul Gandhi's statement last year that the ceiling is 'arbitrary" and an obstacle to justice. Gandhi has publicly committed to removing the ceiling through legislation, calling it 'necessary to protect the Constitution". The council also backed Gandhi's criticism that the history of Dalits and backward communities is being erased from school textbooks. Leaders agreed that states must support his push if the Congress wants to 'grow and survive". The third resolution called for enforcing reservation in private educational institutions as per Article 15(5) of the Constitution. Siddaramaiah also used the platform to hit out at the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. 'They polarise India through caste. We will unite India through the Constitution. They treat OBCs as mere symbols. We uplift them as equals," he said. 'Every time the Congress brings in a policy for justice, the BJP resists it, not just politically, but ideologically. Because they are uncomfortable with genuine backward class advancement." He also reminded the party that 'AHINDA is not a vote bank. It is the voice of India's conscience." Congress insiders say the entire OBC push—including the Bengaluru Declaration—is part of a larger strategy: to win back OBC votes, revive leadership from within the community, and position the Congress as the party of social justice. For Siddaramaiah, the meeting was also a personal win, protecting his position as a strong OBC face of the Congress, especially at a time when his leadership is under scrutiny within the Karnataka unit. The party also acknowledged that OBC support has steadily drifted to the BJP over the decades and agreed it was time to confront that truth. Leaders discussed rebuilding ground support and learning from past missteps. The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, hit back sharply. Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra called the entire exercise a 'Bihar election gimmick" and challenged the Congress to declare Mallikarjun Kharge as its prime ministerial candidate if it truly cared about backward classes. 'They won't—because Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will never allow it," he said. He also ridiculed Siddaramaiah's social justice pitch, recalling how the Rs 165-crore Kantharaju report was shelved allegedly 'after a phone call from Delhi and advice from Rahul Gandhi." top videos View all 'Where was your concern for the backward classes then?" he asked. Despite the BJP's criticism, the Congress is betting big on the caste census narrative. With 42 top leaders in attendance, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders and former chief ministers, the Bengaluru Declaration is being positioned as the party's blueprint for its social justice campaign—and a key roadmap for reclaiming lost political ground in the upcoming elections. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bengaluru BJP caste congress karnataka OBC view comments Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: July 16, 2025, 20:24 IST News politics Congress's OBC Panel Bets Big On Caste Census Narrative, Siddaramaiah At Bengaluru Meeting Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Congress To Launch Caste Census Campaign, Seeks Removal Of 50% Cap On Quota
Bengaluru: The Advisory Council of the OBC Department of the AICC has announced three resolutions following two rounds of deliberations in Bengaluru. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who presided over the meeting, announced the resolutions. It was decided to launch an intense and vigorous nationwide campaign demanding a caste census, removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations, and extension of reservations to private educational institutions. CM Siddaramaiah announced in a press conference that a national-level campaign will be taken up demanding a national-level Caste Census by the Census Commission of India, officially known as the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (ORGI). The Census must include Social, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political aspects of each individual and castes, keeping at the forefront, the Telangana State (SEEEP Caste Survey) as a role model, the CM stated. The second resolution is for breaking the 50 per cent cap barrier in providing reservation, thereby ensuring suitable reservation for the OBCs, in education, service, political and other areas. And thirdly, for demanding reservation in Private Educational Institutes as per article 15(5) of the Constitution, CM Siddaramaiah said. He also read out the resolutions and the 'Bengaluru Declaration' at the press conference after the conclusion of the OBC Advisory Council Meeting. The Bengaluru Declaration read, "The Advisory Council of the OBC Department of AICC, unanimously thank Nyaya Yoddha Rahul Gandhi ji, for courageously taking up the cause of Social Justice for the marginalised sections of society in our country and for having stood up for the cause of the Backward Classes in particular." "Rahul ji's steely resolve forced the Manuwadi Modi Government to surrender to the just and constitutional demand for the Caste Census in India. On behalf of all the Backward Classes of India, the council conveys its heartfelt appreciation and credits Rahulji's contribution for this historic achievement," the declaration stated. "We remind ourselves that although this is a milestone, it is at the same time a small step in ensuring social justice, as envisaged in our Constitution. Under the brave and unflinching leadership of our Nyaya Yodha Rahul Gandhiji, India is destined to realise and achieve the ultimate constitutional objective of Social Transformation leading to an egalitarian and equal society in our great nation," the declaration read. "We hereby resolve and take a vow to continue to fight for Justice for All, holding aloft in our hands the Congress Party flag led by the brave and courageous leadership of our Nyaya Yoddha Rahul Gandhi ji. Any other point as per your suggestion is welcome," the declaration stated. Giving details about the second meeting resolutions, AICC OBC Wing Chief Anil Jaihind stated, "The second set of resolutions was moved by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot." They include, "Full efforts to make Congress OBC leadership 'Bhagidari Sammelan' a grand success on July 25 in Delhi. The convention shall be inaugurated by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, and the concluding address by Rahul Gandhi. Secondly, to work together to organise regular workshops on the OBC issue, including caste census in every state capital with OBC leadership of the party. Also with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Fourthly, resolve to reach out to all OBC communities across the country and build leadership at both the organisational and electoral level aligned with the Congress ideology, Anil Jaihind stated. Fifth and last is to train and provide orientation to the OBC party cadre and rank for strengthening of public discussion on lines of social justice, he stated. The final resolution was adopted, thanking Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for hosting and chairing the OBC Advisory Council Meeting. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, former Karnataka Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Congress MLC B. K. Hariprasad and other leaders were present at the meeting.
