On Saturday (18th January), Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed the caste census conducted in Bihar in 2023 as fake.
His statement, ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections, has raised questions about its implications for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who had previously taken credit for the exercise.
#WATCH | Bihar: Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan' in Patna, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "Caste census should be conducted to understand the true situation of the nation. It will not be like the fake caste census that has been conducted in… pic.twitter.com/0uUeJlB8rg
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2025
Tejashwi’s claims under scrutiny
The caste survey report was released on 2nd October 2023. It was conducted under the Mahagathbandhan government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose party, Janata Dal (United), was leading the alliance comprising JD(U), Congress, and RJD. At that time, Tejashwi had credited himself for pressuring Nitish into carrying out the survey and presented it as a major achievement of his party.
Subsequently, on 9th November 2023, the Bihar Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, was passed in the state assembly. The Act effectively expanded the reservation quota from 50% to 65% in the state. Tejashwi claimed credit for that too and positioned himself as a champion of backward and marginalised communities in the state.
However, the expanded quota was struck down by the Patna High Court, stating it was unconstitutional. The decision prompted the Bihar government and RJD to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court which refused to stay High Court’s judgment but issued notices. The matter is still pending in the apex court.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘self-goal’
Rahul Gandhi made the remarks at the ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’ (Constitution Protection Conference) in Patna. In his statement, Gandhi said, “Caste census should be conducted to understand the true situation of the nation. It will not be like the fake caste census that has been conducted in Bihar…A policy should be made based on the caste census…Congress will pass the caste census in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We will demolish the barrier of 50% reservations…”
The remarks, which should be considered a “self-goal” for the Congress scion, have triggered a political storm. Gandhi has inadvertently cast doubt on the claims laid by Tejashwi Yadav, given that the RJD was part of the government when the survey was conducted. The statement also questions the Congress party’s own endorsement of the survey at the time.
The timing of Rahul Gandhi’s comment, with assembly elections in Bihar on the horizon, could damage both the Congress and the Mahagathbandhan.
BJP and JDU leaders come in support of Nitish Kumar
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come in support of Nitish Kumar. State President Dilip Jaiswal said, “I don’t know what Rahul Gandhi says, nor do I know how developed his mind is. But what I do know is that Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar successfully completed the caste-based census…”
Patna, Bihar: On Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's statement regarding the caste-based census, BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal says, "I don't know what Rahul Gandhi says, nor do I know how developed his mind is. But what I do know is that Bihar's Chief Minister… pic.twitter.com/g2JNOQDUR6
— IANS (@ians_india) January 19, 2025
JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, ” In the 20 years tenure of Nitish Kumar, caste census is one of the important decisions he has taken. Based on this caste census, economically backwards 94 lakh families in Bihar are being given financial assistance up to Rs 2 lakhs…Rahul Gandhi should also speak about their (Congress) tenure of 55 years, what they did for reservation, what they did regarding caste census…”
#WATCH | Delhi: On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi calling Bihar caste census 'fake', JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad says, " In the 20 years tenure of Nitish Kumar, caste census is one of the important decisions he has taken. Based on this caste census, economically backwards 94 lakh… pic.twitter.com/802O8SFyiF
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2025
JD(U) leader and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary said, “Rahul Gandhi’s statement on caste-based census has raised eyebrows, as it marks a significant shift in Congress’s approach. Historically, the party had not issued any official stance on the issue of caste-based enumeration…”
Patna: On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement regarding caste-based census, Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary says, "Rahul Gandhi's statement on caste-based census has raised eyebrows, as it marks a significant shift in Congress's approach. Historically, the party had not issued… pic.twitter.com/JbRHvgFbnr
— IANS (@ians_india) January 18, 2025
Confusion within the Mahagathbandhan
As of now, Gandhi’s statement has created an atmosphere of confusion within the alliance. The RJD is hoping to highlight the caste survey as a key accomplishment to woo backward and Dalit voters. However, as Congress has rejected the report as fake, it could weaken the coalition’s position.
Furthermore, with such remarks, there is a possibility that a deeper divide will be created between the RJD and Congress in the coming months, breaking the alliance completely in a state where caste-based politics dominate the electoral narrative.