Congress to Stage Protests in Maharashtra Against BJP's 'Casteist' Policies

In response to escalating caste tensions, the Congress party announced statewide protests across Maharashtra against the BJP's alleged casteism. State Congress president Nana Patole emphasized the importance of a caste-based census for ensuring social justice and criticized recent BJP statements as insulting to backward classes.

Amid escalating caste tensions, the Congress party announced on Wednesday plans for statewide protests across Maharashtra to oppose the BJP’s alleged casteist policies. State Congress president Nana Patole criticized the BJP for historical oppression of backward, Dalit, and marginalized communities.

Patole asserted that a caste-based census is essential for ensuring social justice and fair allocation of rights among various communities, despite BJP resistance. He highlighted the necessity of this exercise to reporters in Mumbai.

Patole also condemned a recent statement from the BJP, calling it an insult to the Bahujan and backward classes, and cited the 'Manuwadi' mentality within the ruling party. In Parliament, BJP's Anurag Thakur made remarks that fueled controversy, although the party clarified Thakur did not question Rahul Gandhi's caste directly.