Rahul Gandhi (Congress) demanded that the Modi government include a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the upcoming caste census.
The demand comes as political tensions rise ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for 2027 [1]. The outcome of the census and the classification of OBCs are central to electoral strategies in India's most populous state.
During a meeting with the Congress OBC department, Gandhi said that while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have dedicated categories in the caste enumeration, OBCs do not. He said the OBC community could take to the streets in protest if the government does not address this gap.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra responded to these remarks during a press conference in New Delhi. Patra said Gandhi's statements were a pack of lies and demanded an apology from the Leader of Opposition.
The dispute extended to recent police actions. Gandhi accused police of using bullets against student protesters during a march on July 20, 2026 [2]. Patra said no bullets were fired during the incident and characterized Gandhi's account as misinformation.
Gandhi said the government must provide specific data for OBCs to ensure fair representation. He said that if the community follows a path of mass mobilization, the government will be forced to respond.
The BJP dismissed these warnings as a political stunt. Party officials said the Congress leader is attempting to mislead the public through false claims regarding both the census and police conduct.
“Rahul Gandhi said the OBC community could take to the streets in protest.”
This clash highlights the critical role of caste data in Indian politics. By pushing for a specific OBC column, the Congress party is attempting to consolidate a diverse voting bloc that feels underrepresented in official statistics. For the BJP, resisting these demands and framing them as misinformation is a strategy to maintain stability and avoid the political volatility that often accompanies caste-based mobilization ahead of major state elections.
