In a major policy announcement ahead of the Bihar elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday shared the INDIA bloc’s “reservation vision” aimed at the extremely backward classes, also referred to as “ati pichra” communities. Speaking at the ‘Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp’ symposium in Patna, Gandhi emphasized that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, it will abolish the existing 50 percent cap on reservations and expand affirmative action measures to ensure greater inclusion. The announcement reiterates the bloc’s commitment to conducting a caste census in India to obtain accurate data and implement targeted policies for disadvantaged sections.
Key Provisions of the ‘Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp’
Rahul Gandhi outlined a 10-point resolution at the symposium, explaining that these measures would directly benefit the extremely backward classes in Bihar. He stated that the caste census would serve as the foundation for expanding the scope of reservation, replacing the existing limits that he claimed had marginalized many communities. A key focus of the vision is to extend reservation benefits to private institutions engaged in government contracts exceeding Rs 25 crore, ensuring equitable opportunities in education and employment for the most disadvantaged groups.
The Congress leader criticized the current Nitish Kumar-led government, alleging that it had neglected the welfare of the extremely backward classes, using them merely as a vote bank without implementing meaningful developmental measures. Gandhi’s speech highlighted the need for systemic reforms in reservation policies, coupled with effective data collection through the caste census, to address historic inequities and provide a structured path for social and economic upliftment.
Political Outreach and Public Mobilization
Rahul Gandhi also reflected on the success of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, during which party representatives and youth volunteers engaged with local communities to raise awareness about constitutional rights and governance issues. Gandhi credited the active participation of Bihar’s youth in making the campaign effective, asserting that the initiative had informed citizens about perceived threats to their constitutional rights and mobilized them to participate actively in democratic processes.
By linking the ‘Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp’ to broader narratives of social justice and empowerment, Gandhi positioned the INDIA bloc’s policy as a corrective measure to counter systemic neglect and promote inclusive development. The announcement underscores the bloc’s strategic focus on socially and economically marginalized communities, highlighting both political and policy dimensions aimed at addressing long-standing inequities in Bihar’s social structure.
Gandhi’s initiative marks a significant moment in the electoral discourse in Bihar, emphasizing caste-based empowerment alongside structural reforms, while promising to strengthen institutional mechanisms for the upliftment of extremely backward classes.
The symposium concluded with the formal adoption of the ‘Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp,’ signaling the INDIA bloc’s intention to prioritize these policies as a key component of its electoral manifesto and governance strategy in Bihar.
