In Gujarat, Rahul targets PM over `16L cr loan waiver to industrialists

Ashisbharatjodonyayyatraentered Gujarat from Rajasthan on Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told a gathering of tribals at Jhalod in Dahod district that President Droupadi Murmu was “prohibited” from entering the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during the consecration ceremony in Januarybecause“shewasatribal”.

Further, reiterating the "need for a caste census" to understand "wealth concentration in the hands of a few", Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "waiving Rs 16 lakh crore loan" of industrialists.

Gandhi was sharing the dias withaapgujaratpresidentisudan Gadhviandaapnationaljointsecretarygopalitaliaatjhalod,where he will put up for the night before kicking off his padyatra in Dahod on Friday morning.

Addressing the gathering, he said:"youallsawtherammandir inauguration, but did you see the Presidentofindiathere?whywas she not allowed to enter? It was because she was a tribal so she was prohibited... Did you see any poor farmer, labourers? But you sawrssleadersinsidethetemple and you saw in attendance the Adanis, Ambanis, the whole of Bollywood and cricket fraternity. Did you see any poor person?"

Gandhi said that although 73 per cent of the country's population was made up of backward classes, tribals and Dalits, none of the top positions in the country were held by individuals from these groups.

“India is made up of 50 per cent of backward classes, 8 per cent tribals, 15 per ceny Dalits... But if you check the list of the top management in industries or the owners of companies, businesses, hospitals or media houses, you will find none (from these communities)...,” he added.

“Whereistherepresentation? That is why a caste census is necessary... But the moment I mentioned that a caste census should be undertaken, Modiji said there is no caste in India... Then why does he call himself an OBC?"

He said Modi had "waived loanofrs16lakhcroreofindustrialists"andthepowerandtreasury of the country had been “handed over to 2-3 per cent of people".

Rahul Gandhi in Jhalod, Gujarat, on Thursday.