Congress Belagavi meet demands caste census, opposes simultaneous polls

Congress Working Committee meeting at Belagavi has adopted resolutions to commit itself to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and to oppose several policies of the Union government.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) that met at Belagavi in Karnataka has adopted resolutions to commit itself to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and to oppose several policies of the Union government. The meeting also reiterated the party demand for Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation over his alleged insult of B.R. Ambedkar in the Parliament.

These measures were adopted at the extended CWC meeting held in Veera Soudha, the venue of the historic 1924 Belgaum Session of the Congress that was chaired by Gandhiji.

Jairam Ramesh, chairman of the party’s communications wing, gave details of the resolution that read, “It is ironic, and even reprehensible, that the ideologies that bitterly opposed Gandhiji during his lifetime are now hypocritically invoking him. The patronage provided to his killers and their glorification in recent years reveals the true colours of these ideologies and institutions. The politics of polarisation and divisiveness is a rejection of Gandhian beliefs. The CWC calls upon all party members to stand united and work tirelessly to protect, preserve and promote Gandhiji’s precious legacy.”

The second resolution encompassed several points, including demand for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged insult of B.R. Ambedkar, opposition to the simultaneous elections plans and the amendment to election conduct rules, demand for caste census and removal of the 50% limit on reservation and three rallies to revamp and to strengthen the Congress.

A party leader said that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had asked party workers to create awareness about BJP’s plans to undermine the Constitution and the alleged insult of Dr. Ambedkar by Mr. Shah.

According to party sources, the meeting discussed in detail the alleged insult of Dr. Ambedkar by the BJP leader in the Parliament. Mr. Kharge noted that the Congress had protested inside and outside the House and sought Mr. Shah’s resignation on several occasions. He urged all members to spread awareness about the insult to Dr. Ambedkar among the common people. He told them that the BJP was implementing a clear plan to undermine the Constitution and to create awareness about this.

The meeting is said to have discussed “widespread State-sponsored communal and ethnic hatred targeted at minorities” and Manipur violence since 2023 and the “indifference” of Prime Minister and the Union government towards the State. “Congress remains firmly committed to the Places of Worship Act, 1991, that is facing needless and reckless debate,” the resolution said. The meeting also resolved to condemn the “suppression of peaceful protests by Congress workers in U.P. and Assam’‘, in which some party workers lost their lives.