In a pointed political offensive, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of systematically betraying the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) over decades. This accusation came on the day when the NDA government issued a formal notification for a caste census, marking a significant development in the politics of caste-based data collection in India.

The BJP, taking advantage of the Karnataka government’s decision to discard an earlier caste count and initiate a fresh caste enumeration, accused the Congress of hypocrisy and opportunism. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, outlined what he described as a consistent pattern of neglect and betrayal by Congress towards the backward classes.

Highlighting Congress's historical position, Yadav reminded that it had ignored the recommendations of the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, India’s first commission on backward classes set up in 1953. He said, “Congress governments at the Centre repeatedly turned a blind eye to the welfare of OBCs.” The Kaka Kalelkar report, submitted in 1955, made pioneering recommendations for reservations and upliftment measures for the OBCs but was shelved without implementation.

Further intensifying the charge, Yadav also cited Congress's opposition to the Mandal Commission recommendations, another landmark initiative in India’s socio-political landscape. The Mandal Commission, set up in 1979, had recommended 27% reservations for OBCs in government jobs and education. When its implementation was proposed in the early 1990s, Congress showed hesitation and even resistance, Yadav alleged.

The BJP’s renewed focus on the OBC issue is part of its broader electoral and social strategy ahead of upcoming state elections and the 2026 general elections. With the NDA initiating a caste census, the party is keen to position itself as the true advocate for the rights and representation of backward communities, while painting the Congress as an elite-driven party indifferent to social justice.

Adding fuel to the political fire, Karnataka’s Congress-led government’s recent decision to junk a previous caste count and conduct a new caste enumeration has come under sharp scrutiny. BJP MLC N Ravikumar was quick to react, calling it “another injustice against the backward classes.” According to Ravikumar, the move is a political gimmick that exposes the Congress’s long-standing apathy and opportunism.

This caste census notification by the NDA government is seen as a direct response not just to electoral calculations but also to mounting public and political demand for updated caste-based data, which many social justice activists argue is essential for policy-making and equitable resource allocation.

The political war of words has taken centre stage in national discourse, with the BJP making it clear that it intends to expose what it calls the “duplicity” of the Congress on matters related to the backward classes. In his press statement, Bhupender Yadav didn’t hold back, claiming, “From Kalelkar to Mandal and beyond, Congress’s legacy has been one of betrayal and neglect when it comes to OBC empowerment.”

The caste census issue has always been politically sensitive. While the Congress has often vacillated on it due to concerns about political backlash from other communities, the BJP is now projecting itself as taking bold, inclusive steps, using its control of the central government machinery to push the exercise forward.

It’s also worth noting that the BJP’s move comes at a time when regional parties like RJD in Bihar and SP in Uttar Pradesh have already conducted or are planning caste surveys, pushing the envelope on social justice. The BJP now seeks to outdo these efforts at a national level and take the narrative away from regional challengers.

By attacking the Congress’s record on backward class welfare and using Karnataka’s caste enumeration reversal as a trigger, the BJP is clearly setting the tone for a deeper political narrative around caste, development, and historical justice. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission report and the Mandal Commission recommendations are once again at the centre of national debate, even decades after they were drafted.

While the Congress has yet to issue a strong rebuttal, the BJP has successfully shifted the spotlight. It is now up to the Congress to defend its record and explain its evolving stance on backward class issues, especially as caste identity and affirmative action continue to dominate political discourse.

This ongoing debate reveals how caste remains a defining factor in Indian politics. The BJP is not only reviving OBC-centric historical debates but is also seeking to consolidate support among backward communities by attacking Congress’s legacy and presenting itself as the torchbearer of social justice.

In conclusion, the BJP accuses Congress of betraying OBCs amid caste census row, and this narrative is gaining traction amid current political developments. As the NDA proceeds with its caste census notification, it’s clear that the politics of caste will play a pivotal role in shaping the coming electoral battles. With the BJP making a strategic pitch to OBCs, and the Congress facing questions about its past and present policies, the road to 2026 looks increasingly caste-conscious and politically charged.

Disclaimer:
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual risk tolerance and consultation with SEBI-registered advisors. Market conditions are volatile and subject to change. Neither the author nor the platform is responsible for losses arising from use of this information.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Aakaar Medical Technologies, Safe Enterprises Retail Fixtures, Globe Civil Projects, Sambhav Steel Tubes, Ellenbarrie Indutrial Gases, Kalpataru, HDB Financials, AJC Jewel, ArisInfra Solutions, Influx Healthtech, Mayasheel Ventures.

The Current active IPO are  Eppeltone Engineers, Oswal Pumps, Patil Automation, Samay Projects Services, Aten Papers.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.