Centre Rebuts Rahul Gandhi’s “PM Not Born Into OBC Family” Claim

New Delhi: A political firestorm erupted on Thursday after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misrepresenting his caste to garner votes. RaGa, during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, claimed Modi was not born into an Other Backward Class (OBC) community, rather Modi was born into the Ghanchi caste, later included in the OBC list during the BJP’s tenure in Gujarat.

However, the government released a statement asserting that the Modh Ghanchi caste, to which PM Modi belongs, is indeed included in the Gujarat government’s list of socially and educationally backward classes and OBCs. The statement highlighted that the inclusion of Modh Ghanchi in the OBC list occurred through notifications issued in 1994 and 2000, during periods when PM Modi was not in power or holding an executive office.

The exchange between Gandhi and the government comes amidst ongoing debates over a national caste census, with the BJP historically opposing such measures. Last year’s caste survey in Bihar, revealing significant OBC and EBC populations, has intensified discussions on this issue.

Gandhi has pledged to conduct a nationwide caste census and remove the 50% reservation cap if the Congress wins the Lok Sabha election. In response, PM Modi criticized Nehru’s stance on reservations and asserted his government’s commitment to the welfare of SC, ST, and OBC communities.