Kharge Accuses Modi Govt of Ignoring Ambedkar’s Legacy, Renews Demand for Caste Census:

On the occasion of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge strongly criticized the Modi government, accusing it of failing to honour Ambedkar’s legacy. Speaking to reporters, Kharge said that while the BJP and RSS invoke Ambedkar’s name, they consistently ignore the essence of his constitutional vision and social justice agenda.

Allegations of Lip Service to Ambedkar’s Ideals

Kharge labeled the BJP and RSS as "enemies" of Ambedkar’s ideology. He cited a historical letter written by Ambedkar, in which the Constitution’s architect blamed political figures like S A Dange and V D Savarkar for his electoral loss in 1952. This, Kharge suggested, showed who truly supported Ambedkar’s mission and who undermined it.

Call for Nationwide Caste Census

One of the key issues raised by Kharge was the demand for a nationwide caste census. He emphasized that census data informs government policy, and that relying on outdated figures from 2011 is ineffective. He said the scheduled 2021 census has yet to be conducted, and called for the inclusion of caste data to better measure the progress of different social groups.

Push for Reservation in Private Education

Kharge urged immediate implementation of Article 15(5), introduced by the Congress in 2006, which allows for reservations for OBCs, SCs, and STs in private educational institutions. He stressed that the fundamental right to education and opportunity should be extended equally across both public and private domains.

Demand for SC/ST Sub-Plan Legislation and Budget Allocation

He further advocated for a central law to institutionalize the SC/ST sub-plan, ensuring that budgetary allocations for these communities align with their share in the population. Kharge also pushed for the removal of the 50% cap on reservations, arguing that it restricts equitable distribution of opportunities.

Criticism of Women's Reservation Implementation

Kharge pointed out that while the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed two years ago, the Congress had demanded immediate enforcement along with sub-quotas for SC, ST, and OBC women. He accused the government of delaying action on critical social equity reforms.