Rahul Gandhi faces backlash in Bihar over remark that ‘10% of population controls Army’

Rahul Gandhi Faces Backlash Over Bihar Remark Claiming ‘10% Population Controls Army’

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has stirred a fresh controversy with his comments during a campaign rally in Bihar’s Kutumba, where he alleged that “10 per cent of the population controls the Indian Army,” in reference to upper castes. His remarks came just days before the first phase of the state Assembly elections.

‘90% of Indians Underrepresented’: Gandhi’s Statement
Addressing a public gathering, Gandhi said that nearly 90 per cent of India’s population — including Dalits, Maha Dalits, backward, extremely backward, and minority communities — remains underrepresented across institutions.

“If you look at the list of the 500 biggest Indian companies, you will not find people from Dalit or backward communities there. All jobs go to that top 10 per cent. They even control the armed forces. The remaining 90 per cent find no representation,” Gandhi said.

He added that the Congress wants an India “that belongs to everyone,” where the majority can “live with dignity and happiness.”

BJP Hits Back, Calls Remarks ‘Insult to Soldiers’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted sharply, accusing Gandhi of “casting caste divisions” within the Army.
“Rahul Gandhi is now looking for caste in the Armed Forces. In his hatred for Prime Minister Modi, he has started hating India,” BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said.

Not the First Controversy on Defence Remarks
This is not the first time the Congress leader’s comments about the armed forces have sparked outrage. Earlier this year, Gandhi was pulled up by the Supreme Court for claiming that Chinese troops were “thrashing Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh” and occupying 2,000 sq km of Indian territory — a statement made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

A retired defence officer subsequently filed a defamation complaint in Lucknow, accusing Gandhi of tarnishing the Army’s image. The Allahabad High Court declined to quash the case, and Gandhi later moved the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih questioned his credibility, remarking, “If you are a true Indian, you would not say all this.”

Gandhi’s latest remarks have reignited criticism from political rivals and defence veterans alike, with many calling them “irresponsible” and “divisive” ahead of the Bihar polls.