Clash of Narratives: Rahul Gandhi’s 10% Claim Ignites Bihar’s Political Storm

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 6th  November: In the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections of 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a statement that reverberated across the political spectrum and social fabric alike. At a rally in Kutumba, he claimed that a privileged “10 per cent” of Bharat’s population controls the judiciary, bureaucracy, business, and even the Indian Armed Forces, leaving the “90 per cent” marginalized. This divisive narrative, lacking empirical backing, risks undermining national unity and the democratic spirit at a time when inclusion and integration remain paramount. Gandhi’s rhetoric, far from reformative, appears to be a calculated ploy tapping into caste resentments to regain lost political ground.

The Weaponization of Caste: Between Reality and Rhetoric

Gandhi’s assertion simplifies Bharat’s complex social hierarchies into a stark victim-oppressor dichotomy, painting the majority of Dalits, backward castes, tribals, and minorities as systematically excluded from power. Yet, no data supports the claim that merely 10 per cent dominate Bharat’s key institutions. The Indian Armed Forces, known for their unity and meritocracy, do not maintain caste-based records, precisely to safeguard this ethos. Notably, figures like Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice B.R. Gavai exemplify growing inclusivity in the judiciary, countering Gandhi’s sweeping indictment.

Moreover, to accuse the military — an institution revered for its secularism and national service — of caste monopoly is an unprecedented risky politicization that threatens its integrity and morale. Gandhi’s previous controversial statements questioning army valour have already drawn stern rebukes, yet his persistence in such rhetoric sows unnecessary divisions and casts shadows on institutions foundational to Bharat’s sovereignty.

Political Arithmetic Masquerading as Social Justice

The deeper issue lies in the Congress’s shift from ideological politics to caste calculus, seeking to consolidate a large chunk of voters by amplifying identity divides. By framing the narrative as “90 per cent versus 10 per cent,” Gandhi hopes to galvanize Dalits, Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), and minorities into a singular political bloc. However, this strategy is neither novel nor constructive; it echoes Bharat’s fraught past where caste was weaponized to fragment society rather than foster upliftment.

Gandhi’s failure lies not only in oversimplification but also in bypassing actionable solutions—educational reform, job creation, welfare—replaced instead by inflammatory rhetoric. This approach risks perpetuating grievance politics that fractures rather than unites Bharat’s diverse populace. Ironically, the Congress’s own dynastic legacy presided over decades that entrenched caste inequalities, making Gandhi’s current allegations appear both self-contradictory and politically expedient.

The Hollow Echoes of a Fading Political Force

Despite lofty calls for caste censuses and social justice, Congress’s inconsistent transparency—such as the withheld Karnataka caste survey data—undermines its credibility. Affirmative action’s tangible gains under Congress rule are glossed over, while Gandhi insists the systemic invisibility of marginalized communities persists. This rhetoric not only disrespects the progress made but alienates potential allies who see merit and reform as vehicles of empowerment.

Gandhi’s politics thrives on anger and division, turning vital democratic institutions into scapegoats for electoral survival. This undermines trust in Bharat’s democratic foundations and distracts from the complex socio-economic challenges that require collective, data-driven solutions.

The Urgent Need for Unity over Division

Rahul Gandhi’s controversial “10 per cent control” claim is less a call for social justice than a divisive gambit threatening Bharat’s democratic cohesion on the brink of crucial elections. In a country celebrated for its pluralism, reducing the electorate into classes of oppressors and oppressed hampers the pursuit of inclusive development.

For Bharat’s democracy to thrive, political leaders must move beyond identity politics to foster genuine empowerment through education, economic opportunity, and social reform. Respecting and strengthening institutions like the judiciary and armed forces, while embracing data-driven policies, offers a sustainable path forward—one that builds bridges rather than walls within Bharat’s vast, diverse society.