Raebareli: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, emphasized the significance of the Constitution and warned against alleged attempts to ‘scrap’ it while addressing a group of Dalit students in his parliamentary constituency, Raebareli. He asserted that every Dalit in the country embodies the spirit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
During his two-day visit to Raebareli, the Congress leader highlighted the historical discrimination faced by Dalits and underscored Ambedkar’s role in empowering them through constitutional provisions. “Ambedkar was deeply aware of the discrimination that Dalits endured for centuries. He framed the Constitution keeping this in mind and gave power to the Dalits through it,” Gandhi stated.
Reiterating his concerns over the suppression of constitutional values, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the voice of the Constitution is being stifled. He pointed out the stark underrepresentation of Dalits in leadership positions. “Dalits form 15 percent of the population, yet their representation among CEOs and owners of top companies is not proportionate,” he remarked.
He further claimed that there is an ongoing conspiracy to undermine the Constitution. “It is our responsibility to safeguard it. Ambedkar wanted Dalits to be educated and organized, as only then can they claim their rightful place in society,” he added.
Congress has been actively trying to mobilize Dalit voters through initiatives such as ‘Jai Bheem’ and has attempted to challenge the dominance of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Dalit politics. Recently, senior Congress leader Udit Raj criticized BSP supremo Mayawati, accusing her of failing to protect Dalit rights. His remarks sparked a political confrontation, with Mayawati hitting back at the Congress, asserting that Dalits would not be swayed by the party’s outreach programs.
The Congress party’s renewed efforts to woo Dalit voters come ahead of the upcoming elections, as the party seeks to consolidate its base and challenge the ruling government on issues related to social justice and constitutional integrity. Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Raebareli signal an intensified political battle for the Dalit vote bank, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the BSP. Gandhi’s statements further reflect the Congress’s strategy to position itself as a guardian of the marginalized communities while countering the BJP-led government’s policies.
