Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Thursday that if the grand old party is elected, it will reinstate the Scheduled Caste Plan and the Tribal Sub-Plan, which were initially introduced by Indira Gandhi in the 1970s but abolished by the Modi government in 2014.
Congress has provided legal assurances for the enforcement of the SC-ST Sub Plan. The budget allocation is directly proportional to the population of SC/ST communities. The Modi government, as mentioned by Kharge, eliminated the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan for Scheduled Castes that were established by Indira Gandhi in the 1970s to guarantee fair and sufficient allocation of resources.
Kharge underscored the party’s long-standing commitment to championing the rights of marginalized groups in society. He emphasized that the Congress has steadfastly dedicated itself to promoting social justice and empowering the people belonging to disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited communities for the past 70 years.
Rahul Gandhi further endorsed Kharge’s remarks and conveyed the party’s dedication to the welfare of tribal communities in India. Rahul Gandhi stressed that the Congress not only prioritizes the protection of vital resources such as water, forests, and land, but also strives for the active involvement of tribal communities in the nation-building process.
Gandhi emphasized the Congress’ goal of safeguarding water, forests, and land, as well as promoting the involvement of tribals in shaping modern India. He stated that the 6 resolutions dedicated to tribal society would serve as a protective shield for their rights, preventing resource exploitation. Gandhi believed that a strong foundation is essential for a strong country, and stressed the significance of comprehensive policy resolutions in safeguarding tribal rights and resources, acknowledging their vital role in strengthening the nation.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed reservations in response to the demands from opposition parties within the INDIA bloc for a nationwide caste census. They are concerned that this could potentially lead to societal divisions, despite the slogan ‘Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq’ (Rights proportionate to population).
