In a bold statement on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared his intention to remove the 50% cap on reservations in India. Gandhi made this promise during a meeting in Telangana, which is set to become the second Congress-ruled state, after Karnataka, to conduct a caste census.

Accompanied by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Gandhi addressed the gathering organized by the state unit of the Congress Party. During his speech, he reiterated the party's commitment to conducting caste-based enumeration if it returns to power, emphasizing the need to understand the socio-economic status of various communities in India.

The Congress party has consistently called for a caste census, and following Karnataka?s initiative, Telangana will begin its own census exercise starting Wednesday. Gandhi's announcement is part of the party?s broader strategy to address social justice and uplift marginalized communities.

In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly opposed the caste census, claiming that it could deepen societal divisions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during election rallies, criticized the Congress, alleging that the caste census was an attempt to divide Hindu society for political gain.

The political battle over the caste census is now heating up as states like Karnataka and Telangana take steps toward the enumeration, while the BJP continues to oppose it, citing concerns over its potential societal impact.