On Saturday, 29 August, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke about caste discrimination in India while addressing a Congress party briefing in Delhi. He claimed that discrimination against Dalits can still be seen in both cities and villages, particularly in parts of North India.
Gandhi said that caste-based discrimination is visible even at roadside tea stalls. According to him, some shops use two kinds of cups to serve tea: reusable glass cups for the general public and disposable paper or plastic cups for Dalits.
VIDEO | Delhi: Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "Dalits are not allowed to drink water from the village well, forcing them to dig their own wells because they are barred from using the common village well. At tea stalls, two types of cups are used – reusable glass… pic.twitter.com/u9K7QSYk8U
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 29, 2026
“There are two types of cups in tea shops,” Gandhi said, explaining that one is a reusable glass cup while the other is a disposable paper cup. He claimed that Dalits are served tea in the disposable cups, while others are given reusable glass cups.
Rahul Gandhi cites other examples of caste discrimination
Gandhi also referred to several other instances while making his point about the condition of Dalits. He claimed that in some villages, Dalits are not allowed to use common village wells and are forced to dig separate wells for themselves.
He further mentioned that Dalit children are made to clean toilets in schools. Gandhi also claimed that Dalits sometimes have to wear helmets during their own wedding processions to protect themselves from stones.
Calling these examples ‘the reality of India’ and particularly ‘the reality of North India’, Gandhi said such practices can be seen in both rural and urban areas.
Mayawati’s old ‘special bath’ claim about Rahul Gandhi
The comments also bring back an old political controversy involving Gandhi himself. In April 2008, then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had accused Rahul Gandhi of undergoing a ‘special bath‘ and purification rituals after visiting Dalit homes.
At a public meeting, Mayawati claimed that Gandhi visited Dalit families and ate with them as part of an effort to attract Dalit voters. She then said that after returning to his Delhi home, he was given a bath using a “special soap” and underwent purification rituals involving incense and incense sticks.
Mayawati had also referred to Gandhi as the Congress party’s “prince” while making the claim.
The old remarks have resurfaced in the context of Gandhi’s latest comments on caste discrimination, creating a sharp political contrast between his present-day criticism of caste practices and the earlier accusations made against him by Mayawati.
