Lucknow: The OBC Department of the Indian National Congress on Sunday made a strong pitch for social justice, caste-based census, and enhanced rights for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) during a large gathering held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan.
The event, organised by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), marked the 200th birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule and was observed as “Scientific Caste Census Day.” Leaders from across the country attended the programme, underlining the party’s renewed focus on “participatory justice” and equitable representation.
Call for Nationwide Movement
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel credited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for spearheading the movement for proportional representation based on population.
Baghel urged party workers in Uttar Pradesh to take the message to the grassroots, calling for widespread awareness campaigns in villages and public spaces to demand caste census and fair representation for OBCs, including women, in legislative bodies.
Emphasis on Phule–Ambedkar Legacy
Speaking at the event, Anil Jaihind highlighted the contributions of Jyotirao Phule, describing him as a pioneer of social reform who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of backward, Dalit, and tribal communities. He warned against attempts to deny rightful representation to women and backward classes, asserting that the Congress would launch movements against such “regressive thinking.”
Senior leader Rajendra Pal Gautam made an emotional appeal, stating that silence among marginalized communities has historically led to their continued oppression. He called for sustained and collective struggle for social justice.
Telangana Model Highlighted
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who was felicitated at the event for promoting scientific approaches to caste enumeration, advocated adopting the Telangana model nationwide. He urged the central government to ensure proportional representation of backward classes in institutions and resources.
Leadership Voices and Political Messaging
Congress General Secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande described the event as a historic success and reiterated the party’s commitment to uniting backward communities and ensuring their fair share in governance.
K. Raju praised efforts to strengthen the discourse around participatory justice in Uttar Pradesh, while Congress Working Committee member Kamleshwar Patel accused the BJP of discrimination and highlighted alleged irregularities in reservation policies.
Former Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu stressed the need to ensure that Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) receive proportional representation following caste enumeration.
Push for Unity and Organisational Strength
State OBC Congress president Manoj Yadav thanked participants and called for unity and patience in building an equitable society. He also acknowledged the role of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in strengthening the party’s commitment to social justice in Uttar Pradesh.
The event witnessed the participation of several senior leaders, including Ajay Rai, Rakesh Rathore, Varun Chaudhary, Aradhana Mishra, and Ravi Prakash Verma, among others.
Renewed Focus on Social Justice Agenda
The programme concluded with a collective call to intensify the demand for a nationwide caste census and ensure equitable distribution of opportunities. Leaders asserted that achieving social justice and inclusive growth would remain central to the Congress party’s political agenda in the coming years.
