In a recent rally at Simdega, Jharkhand, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP, accusing the party of undermining tribal rights and aiming to “destroy the Constitution.” Gandhi claimed that the BJP seeks to take away tribals’ access to natural resources—“Jal, Jameen, Jungle” (water, land, and forests)—under the pretense of development. He argued that BJP’s policies do not support the inclusion and progress of Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities, stating, “There is no participation of Dalits, backward classes, and tribals in the country.”
Addressing the issue of the caste census, Gandhi noted that his efforts to raise it in Parliament were met with silence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He argued that the BJP’s leadership prioritizes control by a select few, mentioning figures such as Modi, Amit Shah, and major industrialists like Ambani and Adani, in contrast to his vision of inclusive participation for the majority of Indians.
Gandhi described the current political landscape as a clash between two ideologies: the BJP-RSS on one side and the INDIA alliance on the other. He emphasized that the INDIA bloc is committed to safeguarding the Constitution, which he views as embodying the principles of leaders like Birsa Munda, B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, and Mahatma Gandhi. For Gandhi, the Constitution serves as a shield for the rights of marginalized groups across India, and he accused the BJP-RSS of attempting to erode these protections.
He also shared the INDIA bloc’s vision for Jharkhand, promising to address fundamental needs and boost economic empowerment and social justice. Gandhi highlighted seven guarantees focused on enhancing food security, supporting local identity, and ensuring employment. He reiterated that these initiatives aim to create a Jharkhand where every individual, especially women, youth, and farmers, can live with dignity and opportunity.
