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Reiterating his demand for a nationwide "caste census," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that 90 per cent people in the country are sitting out of the system and the step should be taken in their interest. He also said that for the Congress, the "caste census" is the foundation and a tool for policy making.

Speaking at the "Samvidhan Samman Sammelan", Gandhi said, "90 per cent people are sitting out of the system. They have skills and knowledge but no connections (with the system). That is why we have raised the demand for a caste census."

Asserting that before ensuring the participation of various sections of society, there is a need to ascertain their numbers, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said, "For the Congress, the caste census is the foundation of policy making. It is a tool for policy making. We cannot make policies in the reality of India without a caste census."

The senior congress leader said that, just like the Constitution, the "caste census" is a policy framework and a guide for the Congress.

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"Just like our Constitution, which is a guide in a way and it is being attacked every day, a caste census, a socio-economic survey, an institutional survey will be our second guide," he said.

"We want the data. How many Dalits, OBC (Other Backward Classes), tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there. We are trying to protect the Constitution through this demand for a caste census," he added.

The senior Congress leader said that the constitution is not for 10 per cent of the country's population, but for all its citizens.

"The Constitution is protected by poor people, labourers, tribals and not (industrialist Gautam) Adani. If 90 per cent people do not have participatory rights, the Constitution cannot be protected. Our aim is to protect the Constitution. This (the Constitution) is a protective shield for the poor, farmers and labourers. Without it, the situation would be as it used to be earlier in the times of kings and emperors, who did whatever they wanted," he said.

Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to replicate the model of kings and emperors. 

"You (Modi) consider yourself non-biological. You consider yourself connected with the god. Right after the (Lok Sabha) election, you had to bow down before the Constitution. This was not done by us but by people," he said.

Gandhi said that those who think that the caste census can be stopped or the 50-per cent ceiling on reservations cannot be lifted are dreaming.

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"This will definitely happen. It cannot be stopped. Neither the caste census nor an economic survey or an institutional survey can be prevented and the 50-per cent barrier will also fall. All of these will happen," he said.

Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader said: "The Caste Census is about building a policy framework that will deliver social justice. The Constitution promises justice and equality for every Indian. Yet, the harsh reality today is that over 90 per cent of our population is excluded from growth and opportunity.

"The 90 per cent Bahujans- Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, minorities, and also the general caste poor- are skilled and hardworking. Excluding them from opportunities is like shutting down 9 cylinders of a 10-cylinder enginewe simply won't get very far as a nation."

(With input from agencies)

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