Salient points of press conference of Hon'ble Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

Salient Points of Press Conference of Union Minister and Senior BJP Leader Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

The people of the country have clearly distinguished between the BJP's sincere intentions and Congress' empty slogans. The caste-based census decision, taken under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, stands as proof of the NDA's commitment to social justice

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Changing the cover page of a book does not change its contents. Similarly, the Congress' character has always been opportunistic and centered around vote-bank politics

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Today, Congress' so-called ‘First Family’ is consumed by arrogance and hypocrisy. Their statements reveals that, for them, social justice is merely a political tool for gain

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Congress' politics has always revolved around family and power. They are uncomfortable whenever the rights of the backward classes are raised because they have never truly cared about social justice

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Congress suppressed the Kaka Kalelkar Committee’s report on backward classes for years. In 1977, the Janata Party government formed the Mandal Commission

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The decision to conduct a caste-based census was not taken suddenly. Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the core philosophy of this government has been ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’

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Social justice has been the fundamental goal of all BJP programs. Our objective has been to ensure that benefits, services, and opportunities reach every section of society through scientific and systematic means

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The NDA government, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, is committed to ensuring that backward classes receive their rightful due. This historic decision has been made with clear intent, based on 11 years of experience

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Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addressed a press conference at the party’s central office in New Delhi, on Thursday. During the conference, Shri Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for the decision on caste-based census. He praised this decision as a reflection of the Modi government's commitment to the country's progress, the rights of the underprivileged, and social justice. Shri Pradhan sharply criticized the Congress for its hollow slogans and arrogant statements labeling Rahul Gandhi as an opponent of social justice and accusing the Congress of pretending to support social justice merely for political gain.

Shri Pradhan conveyed that the people of India have once again clearly distinguished between genuine intent and empty promises. The decision to conduct a caste census under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji reflects the NDA government’s strong commitment to social justice. This move is not abrupt but a natural and principled progression of the inclusive approach followed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister over the past 11 years. The Modi government’s core principle has always been ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ which aims to ensure that every policy and scheme is scientifically and transparently designed to benefit all sections of society.

Union Minister Shri Pradhan highlighted that, for the first time, the OBC Commission has been given constitutional status. The government, under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, has ensured significant representation for marginalized communities at various levels, including in the Centre, states, and in key positions like Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, and legislators. This reflects a strong commitment to social justice. Caste data was never collected in previous censuses since Independence. Although the census was scheduled for 2021, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has now decided, in principle, to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. The decision, made during the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs meeting yesterday and previously indicated by the Union Home Minister nearly a year ago, is a historic move to secure the rights of marginalized communities. Drawing on data and experience from the past 11 years, the government aims to design policies that are more precise, inclusive, and fair. This step has been widely welcomed across political lines, with support from all sections of society. It reflects the strong foundation of social justice and good governance being laid under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.

Shri Pradhan thanked Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for taking a historic decision that marks a major step toward social justice. While some people reacted with frustration, it's important for the nation to understand the full truth. The last caste-based census in India was conducted in 1931. In 1941, under British rule, such data wasn’t collected. However, after independence, when the first census of free India was to be conducted in 1951, the government was led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. If not for the efforts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, social justice might not have found a place in the Constitution. Pt. Nehru was strongly opposed to caste-based reservations not just in words, but in action. Nehru had even written to chief ministers and ministers of states, arguing that such reservations could compromise “quality.” This reveals the Congress government’s mindset at the time regarding social justice.

Shri Pradhan highlighted that the Kaka Kalelkar Committee report, which detailed the condition of socially and educationally backward communities, was deliberately withheld from the public by the Congress party. Despite its importance, the report was never acted upon. It wasn’t until 1977, under the Janata Party government (which included the then-Jan Sangh, now BJP), that the Mandal Commission was established to address backward class issues. Prominent BJP leaders like late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shri Lal Krishna Advani supported this step toward social justice. However, the Congress government kept the Mandal Commission report shelved for nearly a decade after it was submitted. The key question is, who was in power at that time? When V.P. Singh became Prime Minister and decided to implement the Mandal Commission’s recommendations, it was the BJP that backed the move. It is a matter of record that the decision was taken based on our suggestion.

Senior BJP leader Shri Pradhan criticized the Congress party, especially the member of the ‘First Family,’ for speaking with arrogance and hypocrisy despite his repeated electoral defeats. Their statements reflects the approach to social justice is just a façade, often confined to political gains for their family. In contrast, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, who hails from a humble, disadvantaged background has not only advocated for social justice but has also made it a reality through policies and execution. The Congress, which ruled for decades, is now playing politics with social justice, a concept they once hindered. The NDA government's commitment to social justice is demonstrated not only in words but through concrete actions. The recent decision is a historic and decisive step to secure rights and dignity for marginalized communities across India.

Shri Pradhan highlighted that the Congress party's history has consistently worked against the rights of marginalized, Dalit, tribal, and backward communities. Despite being in power for a long time at both the national and state levels, Congress failed to take any meaningful action toward social justice. Now, when caste-based census and social surveys are being discussed, they are attempting to spread confusion. In 2010, the Congress government formed a group of ministers to conduct a caste-based census, but by 2011, they backtracked on the decision. The surveys they conducted lacked clear caste data, revealing that Congress lacked both the will and commitment to social justice. It is the same Congress that, despite ruling for years, never conferred the Bharat Ratna on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It was only in 1990, under the leadership of V.P. Singh and supported by the BJP, that Babasaheb was awarded the Bharat Ratna. Congress’ politics has always centered around its family and power. Every time there were efforts to promote the rights of the backward and marginalized communities, Congress opposed them. They have never genuinely supported social justice. Now, as Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji leads the NDA government in taking historic steps to empower the backward, marginalized, and tribal communities, Congress and its allies are responding with statements full of hypocrisy and arrogance.

Union Minister Shri Pradhan emphasized that merely changing the cover page of a book does not change its contents. Similarly, the Congress' character has always been opportunistic and centered around vote-bank politics. In 2011, they promised a caste-based census but failed to follow through. The decision made by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to enhance social justice, unity, and harmony will propel the country into a new era in the 21st century, with lasting and positive effects. Congress must overcome its disappointment and bitterness, as the public is fully aware of everything. Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the government is steadfastly advancing towards the progress of the nation, safeguarding the rights of the marginalized, and promoting social justice. 

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