Caste census will resolve Maratha reservation issue, says Congress

Ramesh Chennithala criticizes BJP and RSS for spreading caste and religious divisions, calling for unity and justice in Maharashtra.

The BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are spreading venom in the name of caste and religion, causing divisions in society, Ramesh Chennithala, who is the AICC representative responsible for Maharashtra, said during the party’s ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ yatra at Parbhani.

Mr. Chennithala said, “Rahul Gandhi raised his voice against the injustice done to Somanath Suryawanshi and Vijay Wakode. Three months later no action has been taken by the government against Suryawanshi’s murderers, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remains silent. Law and order does not exist in the State.”

Suryawanshi, who travelled to Parbhani from Pune for his law entrance examination, was allegedly picked up by the police there on December 11, 2024, after violence erupted that day over the desecration of a replica of the Constitution a day earlier. One of the 50 people Parbhani police arrested between December 11 and December 12, he died in judicial custody on December 15. Vijay Wakode, who was leading the protest, died following a heart attack amid the violence.

Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal said Mr. Gandhi’s firm stance on the caste census had forced the Modi government to concede. “The Maratha reservation issue can be resolved if a caste census is conducted. The present level of 27% reservation for OBCs may be increased to 65%. Meanwhile, while the BJP incites caste conflicts, it is crucial the Bahujan community stay united. Six farmers commit suicide every day in Maharashtra, the youth cannot find jobs, yet the government prioritises the interests of Adani and Ambani. The government is now needlessly focusing on the ₹88,000 crore Shaktipeeth Expressway.”

Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that the Sadbhavna Yatra aims to bridge hearts and unite communities and fix the damage done by the BJP since 2014. The BJP has been sowing the seeds of casteism and communalism across the country. He lashed out at BJP State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule for directing his workers to bring down the Congress. “BJP leaders are talking about breaking the Congress. BJP has a habit of breaking others’ houses. We will take revenge when our time comes.”

“If you want to build your own house, buy iron and cement with your own hard work and do not steal. This mentality is not a sign of democracy and healthy politics. Congress will not fall for such tactics, because it believes in the religion of humanity and love.”

Congress leader Chandrakant Handore said that the BJP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal are creating anarchy and are trying to divert public attention from pressing issues by fuelling caste and religious conflicts. “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us the world’s most sacred Constitution, granting equal rights to all, but BJP wants to replace it with the Manusmriti.”