In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the organisers of the recent Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns over the apparent lack of representation for lower castes at the highly publicized event.
During his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra march in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi pointedly questioned the absence of members from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalit communities at the ceremony, despite their significant demographic presence in the country.
He specifically singled out Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, despite Aishwarya's non-attendance at the event.
"Did you see the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple? Was there a single OBC face? There was Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Narendra Modi," Gandhi remarked, emphasizing the stark lack of representation from marginalized communities.
Gandhi's remarks come in the wake of the Ram Temple event, which saw the participation of PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, along with a host of celebrities, politicians, and dignitaries. However, the absence of opposition parties, including the Congress, drew criticism, with accusations of the BJP leveraging the event for political gains.
Highlighting the need for a caste census, Gandhi reiterated the importance of exposing social inequalities through comprehensive data collection. "How much wealth do the 73 per cent castes have in this country? Caste census is the X-ray of the country. This will reveal everything," he emphasized.
The Congress leader's critique underscores broader concerns regarding representation and inclusivity in public ceremonies of national significance. While the Ram Temple inauguration was heralded as a historic moment, Gandhi's observations shed light on the underlying dynamics of caste and privilege that persist in Indian society.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is poised to enter Amethi, his former Lok Sabha constituency, coinciding with a four-day visit by Union Minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Gandhi in the 2019 general elections.
This convergence marks a significant moment in the political landscape of Amethi, with both leaders vying for influence in the region.
As the debate over representation and social justice continues to reverberate in the political arena, Gandhi's critique serves as a reminder of the imperative to address systemic inequalities and ensure inclusive participation in all facets of governance and public life.
Source: Agencies
