Nagpur: Congress leader and star campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched his party’s election campaign with a visit to Deekshabhoomi that stands in memory of B R Ambedkar and then latching on to the Constitution book that stands for equality.

“When I talk about the caste census, Modiji says that I am dividing the nation. But I am amplifying only a feeble voice from the deprived masses. I have heard the voice which says 90% of the population gets no benefit of the country’s resources. Only a caste census can give justice to this 90% deprived population of India,” said Rahul.

“The RSS and the BJP cannot attack the Constitution from the front. So they hide behind ‘vikas’ , ‘pragati’ , unity (words like ‘development’, ‘progress’, patriotism’) to carry on their agenda of inequality that ensures benefits only to few individuals at the cost of vast majority of people,” said the Congress leader.

Gandhi was addressing a “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan” (Respecting Constitution conference) organized by OBC youth Rights Forum which was attended by members of 200 civil society organizations and NGOs and social bodies that work for equal rights among people.

Though the convention was supposed to be non-political and pro-Constitution affair with no Congress leader adorning the dais except Rahul Gandhi, the purpose of hitting the BJP-RSS hard under the garb of saving statute book was more than obvious. “Modiji is having sleepless nights ever since I raised this demand of caste census,” thundered Rahul Gandhi.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP & RSS Of Ignoring The Caste Census Demand

“The BJP and RSS are huddled in meetings to find a way to wriggle out of this situation but are finding it hard to take a position, “ Rahul stated accusing the BJP and RSS of ignoring the caste census demand as they wanted only 5% of the people in the country to accumulate wealth and enjoy benefits of power. “From where does the RSS get money to maintain its huge facility here and to run Shishu Mandirs and Eklavya Vidyalayas,” he asked and answered that it comes from BJP-run governments in MP, Rajasthan , Gujarat and from favoured industrialists Adani and Ambani.

Rahul Gandhi Reaffirms His Commitment To The Caste Census

Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to the caste census, describing it as a step towards justice and equity. He argued that the level of caste-based discrimination in India is unparalleled in the world. Arriving here this afternoon, Gandhi first visited Deekshabhoomi, the historic site where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, embraced Buddhism in 1956.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Pays Tribute To Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

Paying homage to Ambedkar before attending the Samvidhan Sammelan, Gandhi highlighted Ambedkar’s legacy.

“When you read Ambedkar ji’s writings, you’ll see that he isn’t speaking of his own struggles but of others’. Ambedkar ji and Gandhiji never focused on their own pain—they spoke for the suffering of the people. When India entrusted Ambedkar ji with drafting the Constitution, it meant it resonates voices and pain of millions of marginalised masses.”

The Constitution drafted by Ambedkar is not just a book but a way of life, Gandhi said. When people from the RSS and BJP attack the Constitution, they are attacking the voice of the country, he added. “You won’t find a single Dalit, OBC and Adivasi in the management team of Adani group,” Gandhi said. “You waive off Rs 16 lakh crore debts of just 25 people, but when I speak of farmers’ loan waiver, I am attacked for changing habits of these people,” he lamented.

“Caste census will bring a clarity an paradigm shift as it will ensure justice to 90% of people who are missing from judiciary, bureaucracy, corporate management . It will give these deprived masses, power, wealth and respectability ,” Gandhi said. “We have demolish the 50 per cent (reservation cap) wall,” he added. We have to tell the country that we are fighting to secure justice for over 90 per cent marginalised people in the country,” he said.

Mumbai: After the Election Commission (EC) removed IPS officer Rashmi Shukla from her position as Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP), her fate now lies in the hands of the new government, unless the EC grants her another posting before the code of conduct ends. The polling for the Maharashtra assembly will be held on November, 20 and results will be declared three days after that.

Ahead of the state elections, the EC removed Shukla on Monday following a complaint from Congress. IPS officer Sanjay Verma was appointed as new Maharashtra DGP on Tuesday, however, Shukla remains without any post as of today.

Will Shukla Be Reappointed

IPS Shukla was appointed as Maharashtra DGP for two years by the state government. Quoting the sources in Mantralaya, Loksatta reported that after Shukla’s removal by EC ahead of polls, the decision of IPS Shukla’s new appointment will be taken by the new government itself. The report also added that Sanjay Verma has been appointed as DGP till until the code of conduct expires and if the Mahayuti government comes to power again, Shukla will be reappointed as Maharashtra DGP.

Nana Patole Requests Non-Appointment Of Shukla

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Monday evening wrote to the EC thanking for the prompt action and removal of IPS Rashmi Shukla. However, Patole also requested the commission to not appoint Shukla to any position, adhering the legal framework. Notably, the DGP is the highest post in police services in Maharashtra.

Shukla was brought back from the centre after the Mahayuti formed government in Maharashtra. Shukla retired in June this year, however she was granted extension by the state government.

Since the announcement of Maharashtra assembly polls, the opposition MVA led by Congress has been asking for Shukla’s removal alleging that she was biased towards the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government.

Mumbai: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah is set to hold his first rally in Maharashtra on Thursday in the Kolhapur South constituency, where Congress leader Satej Patil’s nephew, Ruturaj Patil, is contesting. Shah will also conduct rallies in Sangli, Satara, and Pune on the same day.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Maharashtra on November 6 to hold rallies in Washim, Murtijapur, and Mozari-Tivsa in Amravati district. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to kick off his campaign today from Nagpur. There are only 12 days left for campaigning.