(Image source from: Twitter.com/RahulGandhi)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday ignited a debate during a campaign rally in Kutumba, Bihar, just before the Assembly elections that start on Thursday, by claiming that the Indian Army is "controlled by 10 percent of the population," referring to the upper castes. Speaking to a crowd, Gandhi pointed out, "If you examine closely, 90 percent of the people in this country are Dalit, Maha Dalit, backward, extremely backward, or belong to minority groups. The majority of people come from the most disadvantaged and tribal communities." He further stated, "If you examine a list of India's 500 biggest companies, you will not find anyone from the backward or Dalit communities, as they all belong to that top 10 percent. All job opportunities are given to them. They hold power over the military. The remaining 90 percent of the population is not represented anywhere."
"We aspire for an India that accommodates 90 percent of its citizens, where everyone can lead a life filled with dignity and joy. The Congress has consistently advocated for the backward," Rahul Gandhi expressed. Responding to his statements, BJP leader Suresh Nakhua remarked, "Rahul Gandhi is trying to find a caste within the Armed Forces and claims that 10% of people rule it. In his animosity toward PM Modi, he has gone too far in showing hatred for India." This wasn't the first time he made comments that raised eyebrows regarding the Army.
In August, the Supreme Court reprimanded him for saying, "Chinese soldiers are beating Indian troops in Arunachal Pradesh," during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Gandhi had asserted that the Chinese military took over 2,000 square kilometers of Indian land and was "beating" Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. These statements resulted in a defamation complaint filed by a retired defense official in Lucknow, alleging that his remarks insulted and damaged the reputation of the Indian Army. The Allahabad High Court had previously refused to dismiss the complaint, leading Gandhi to appeal to the Supreme Court. During the Supreme Court's hearings, Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih posed tough questions to the senior Congress leader concerning the truthfulness and foundation of his comments, stating, "If you are a genuine Indian, you would not express such thoughts."
