Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 14: Marking the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made a passionate pitch for social justice reforms, laying out a five-point demand that included a nationwide caste census and major changes to reservation policies.
Addressing the media on Monday, Kharge accused the BJP-led central government of abandoning Ambedkar’s vision and declared that the Congress party would campaign tirelessly — both on the ground and in Parliament — to secure justice for marginalized communities.
“The time has come for India to know where it stands,” Kharge said. “We need a fresh caste census alongside the general census to understand the true social and economic status of our people.”
He criticized the government for relying on outdated data from the 2011 census and questioned the prolonged delay in conducting the 2021 census. “How can policies be effective if we don’t know who needs help and to what extent?” he asked.
Five Demands for Social Equity
1. Caste Census Now: Kharge demanded an immediate nationwide caste-based census, arguing it’s the only way to fairly assess how different social groups are progressing — particularly in areas like education, employment, housing, and land ownership.
2. Restore the SC-ST Sub-Plan: Kharge slammed the Modi government for scrapping the SC-ST Sub-Plan, which was introduced by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1976 to ensure targeted development for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “This government is not interested in Ambedkar’s ideals,” Kharge said. He called for the plan’s reimplementation at the national level, noting that Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana had already legislated similar initiatives.
3. End the 50% Cap on Reservations: Pointing out that Tamil Nadu is the only state with secure quotas beyond the 50% limit, Kharge urged the inclusion of state-specific reservation policies under Schedule 9 of the Constitution to prevent legal challenges and ensure expanded access.
4. Enforce Quotas in Private Colleges: With over half of higher education institutions now privately run, Kharge demanded immediate enforcement of reservation provisions under Article 15(5), which allow SC, ST, and OBC quotas in private educational institutions. Though upheld by the Supreme Court in 2014, the provision has seen little action from the Centre. “How can our children compete if private institutions remain out of reach?” he asked.
5. Reservation for Marginalized Women in Politics: Calling the Women’s Reservation Bill incomplete, Kharge demanded that one-third of the reserved seats be specifically allocated for SC, ST, and OBC women. “Representation must include those most often excluded,” he emphasized.
In closing, Kharge said the Congress party’s demands are not just policy points but reflections of Dr Ambedkar’s ideals of justice, equality, and dignity for all. “We will continue this fight from the streets to the floor of Parliament,” he declared.