Rahul Gandhi questions 'unfair' merit system in India: 'Entirely upper caste narrative'

Rahul Gandhi during an interaction with educationist Professor Sukhadeo Thorat.

Highlighting the ongoing struggles of dalits and tribals for equal access to governance and education, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned the merit system in India. He slammed those opposing the caste census, saying they wanted to keep the truth hidden.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha feels the merit system is unfair and completely flawed.

"There is a completely flawed concept of merit where I confuse my social position with my capability. For anybody to say that our education system or our bureaucratic entry systems are fair to dalits, OBCs (other backward castes) and tribals - that's just complete fallacy," he said during his interaction with Professor Sukhadeo Thorat.

Prof. Thorat is a well-known educationist, economist, expert on dalit issues and member of the study committee on caste survey in Telangana.

According to Rahul Gandhi, the notion of merit is an unfair idea. "The entire narrative is an upper caste narrative. This notion of merit is, actually, itself an unfair idea," he said.

Caste census is, hence, an important step towards bringing out the "truth of inequality and discrimination", the former Congress chief said while recalling Dr BR Ambedkar's historic Mahad Satyagraha.

"The fight for share that began 98 years ago continues. On 20 March 1927, Babasaheb Ambedkar directly challenged caste discrimination through the Mahad Satyagraha. This was not just a fight for the water right, but also for equality and respect," Rahul posted on X.

Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan said the Congress MP's outburst on merit clearly exposes the nepotistic mindset of Congress.

"Rahul Gandhi's shocking outburst on merit clearly exposes the nepotistic and feudal mindset of Congress. The dynastic Congress has always historically abused and insulted meritorious leaders belonging to the SC, ST, and OBC communities who progressed in public life through their hard work and sheer commitment," he said.

The BJP leader added that the Congress party has always harboured a 'dalit virodhi' mindset and tries to 'crush merit'.