Hyderabad: In a major political endorsement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hailed Telangana’s caste survey as a ‘historic step’ and a model for social justice 2.0, declaring that it will shape India’s future direction.Political observers said the rare and emphatic praise not only boosts chief minister A Revanth Reddy’s standing within the party, but also reinforces the Gandhi family’s enduring emotional connect with Telangana.“The Telangana model is visionary, inclusive, and powered by 21st century data. It is Social Justice 2.0 and it will define how India moves forward,” Rahul posted on X.He was speaking hours after the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, where he called the caste survey a ‘political earthquake’, comparing its impact to a tsunami on India’s entrenched power structures.“A caste survey will be conducted in every state where the Congress comes to power,” he declared.Significantly, he underlined the Gandhi family’s legacy in Telangana’s formation, recalling how Sonia Gandhi’s fight to create the state laid the foundation for the current push towards caste-based justice.“Soniaji’s fight to create Telangana cemented our deep emotional connection to the people, the language and the culture of this beautiful state,” he said.The socio-economic caste survey conducted by the Congress govt – presented through a detailed powerpoint briefing to Rahul and senior leaders on Thursday – was praised as a model for the rest of the country.“I am filled with immense pride. The govt’s inclusive and consultative approach has set a new benchmark that should guide future census exercises,” Rahul further wrote on X.The survey has led to the recommendation of 42% OBC reservations in local body elections and educational institutions, with the bill currently awaiting Presidential assent.For Telangana leadership, the political significance of Rahul’s remarks is far-reaching. His public and internal praise for Revanth’s leadership is seen as a clear rebuttal to BRS and BJP claims that Rahul was distancing himself from the CM.For weeks, opposition parties and some sections within the Congress had questioned whether the high command was fully backing Revanth, citing missed appointments and intra-party chatter. Those doubts appear to have been put to rest.Thursday’s caste survey presentation, attended by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other senior ministers was a moment of reckoning for the Telangana Congress.Revanth, during the presentation, had read aloud a letter from Sonia praising the caste survey.“This is my Oscar. My Nobel. A lifetime achievement award,” he said emotionally. “Sonia Gandhi gave us Telangana, and now, her words have validated this major reform,” he said.At the same meeting, Rahul acknowledged his own initial doubts.“I wondered whether Revanth’s own community or other forward castes would support the survey. But Revanth convinced everyone. He delivered, and did it with high competence. This is going to define how caste census is done in India – whether BJP likes it or not,” he said.
