Jharkhand : Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi today said that had Prime Minister Narender Modi read the Constitution of the country, he would not be spreading hate and violence and making people fight against each other.
Addressing a largely attended public rally here today, Gandhi said, it was an ideological fight and a fight to defend and protect the Constitution. He said, the Constitution of the country carried thousands of years old values and ideas, and thoughts of great people and saints like Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, Phule Ji, Guru Nanak Ji, Narayan Guru, Basavanna and others. He said, the Constitution carried the soul of India.
He told the people that whatever rights they have got were only because of the Constitution, unlike before when Rajas and Maharajas ruled as per their own will. He said, the right of one vote to everyone was given and guaranteed by the Constitution only. He accused the BJP and the RSS of attacking the Constitution from behind the closed doors.
Gandhi accused Modi of playing in the hands of a few big billionaires. He said, whatever the billionaires want him to do, he does, like handing over the country’s resources like land and forests to them.
The senior Congress leader reiterated and reaffirmed his commitment to get the caste census done in the country, saying it was a revolutionary step and would prove to be the solution to discrimination prevailing in the country. He pointed out, there were about 15 percent Dalits, 8 percent Adivasis, about 50 percent OBCs and 15 percent minorities, which roughly adds up to 90 percent.
But, he added, the share of this 90 percent population in the country’s decision-making process or control over resources was negligible. He said, all this needs to change and the caste census will change it and start an era of a different kind of politics in the country. He also reiterated that the 50 percent “wall” (ceiling) on reservation will be removed.
Gandhi announced that 27 percent reservation for OBCs will be restored in Jharkhand, where BJP had reduced it to 14 percent. He said, the reservation for the STs will be increased from 26 to 28 percent and that of the SCs will be increased from 10 to 12 percent.
He said, while Prime Minister Modi handed over Rs 16 lakh crores of country’s money to a few billionaires by waiving off their debt, the Congress will distribute money among the common people. He said, women will be provided Rs 2500 every month. He said, gas cylinders will be provided for Rs 450 each.
For farmers, he added, the MSP for the paddy will be increased to Rs 3,200 per quintal from Rs 2,400 per quintal being provided now. Every family in the state will be provided health insurance cover to the tune of Rs 15 lakhs.
He said the Congress government will provide employment to 10 lakh youngsters in the state in the next five years. He said, one industrial park measuring 500 acres each, will be opened up in all the districts.
