PM opposed caste census at behest of `industrialist friends', claims Rahul Gandhi

Dahod (Gujarat): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposed the demand for a nationwide caste census at the instance of his "industrialist friends." Speaking at a gathering at Jhalod town in tribal-dominated Dahod district after his `Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Gujarat, he also hit out at the BJP-led Union government over the Agniveer scheme of recruitment in the Armed Forces.

Rahul Gandhi started the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With it's chief minister for three terms and now the PM for two terms the response in Dahod and Piplod of Gujarat was lukewarm for Gandhi.

"When I demanded a caste survey, the PM said there are no castes in India. But he himself had said many times in the past that he is an OBC. When I demanded a caste survey, he said there is no caste. He refused to conduct a caste survey at the behest of his industrialist friends," the Congress leader alleged.

Talking about the Agniveer scheme, he claimed that a soldier recruited under the scheme will not give his best, because "he knows that the Army will not take care of his family if he gets martyred."

"The Agniveer scheme has been brought by the Centre to divert the funds meant for soldiers' training, pension and purchasing arms. And all these contracts are being given to only one person. (Industrialist) Adani will now make rifles and ammunition and our Army will buy them from him," he claimed.

The yatra entered Gujarat from Rajasthan around 4.45 pm. The Congress leader was welcomed by local leaders and workers of his party as well as supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has entered into a tie-up with the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections.

The 6,700-km 'Manipur to Mumbai' yatra will pass through seven districts of Gujarat having sizable tribal population before proceeding to Maharashtra.

Ahead of the yatra's entry in Gujarat, the state Congress suffered setbacks in the form of exit of a few leaders including party stalwart Arjun Modhwadia who joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Godhra visit on Day 2

On the second day of the Gujarat leg of his Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is headed towards Godhra in adjoining Panchmahal district where he will address people.

On Friday morning, Gandhi visited Kamboi Dham near Jhalod to pay his respects to tribal icon Govind Guru.

Congress workers and locals greeted him on the route. Tribals also gathered at a traffic roundabout and performed their traditional dance to greet the opposition leader, who reciprocated by waving back to them while sitting in an open-roof SUV.

He also cut a large cake which was presented to him by women Congress workers on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8 every year.

He will spend the night at Jambughoda village of Panchmahal district.

(Inputs from PTI)