Bhandara, Aug 3 (IANS) Congress Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday made a strong pitch for the rights of the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) community while launching a sharp attack on both the Central and State governments.
Flagging off the Mandal Yatra 2026, Wadettiwar said the Yatra has been conducted continuously over the past five years to demand implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations and to create awareness among the OBC community regarding their rights. He said the primary objective of the rally is to unite the community and build strength to fight for their entitlements.
Wadettiwar pointed out that after Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of a caste-based census in Parliament, the Central Government announced a census. However, he noted that the current enumeration process lacks an independent column for OBCs.
Following criticism, the government claimed the column would be added in the second phase, but Wadettiwar questioned how citizens could trust such assurances if OBCs are not recorded in the initial phase.
Asserting that the OBC community would not bow down, Wadettiwar declared they would force the government to include a distinct column for a caste-based census. He added that the large turnout in Bhandara demonstrated this collective strength.
He emphasised that the movement transcends political posts, stating that positions as an MLA, minister or role in power come and go, but the rights of the OBC community remain permanent.
He clarified that he was addressing the gathering not as a Congress leader or MLA, but as an OBC worker dedicated to fighting for the community’s rights until the end.
Critiquing the Maharashtra government, Wadettiwar highlighted funding disparities, noting that while development corporations for other communities receive substantial allocations, the OBC Corporation was allocated only Rs 500 crore.
He added that despite accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the state’s population, OBC students lack sufficient hostels and district-level facilities, while the Mahajyoti institute remains underfunded.
He demanded an allocation of at least Rs 1,000 crore for Mahajyoti and the establishment of OBC student hostels in every district and taluka.
Wadettiwar recalled that during his tenure as OBC Welfare Minister, he had approved 72 hostels and noted that given more time, a comprehensive network of hostels would have been established across all districts.
He further alleged that local body elections in the state remain stalled due to OBC reservation issues, leaving thousands of posts vacant. He claimed this represents an attempt to diminish the political representation of the OBC community.
Concluding his address, Wadettiwar emphasised that a caste-based census is not merely about numbers, but a crucial tool for securing education, employment, financial resources and political representation proportionate to the OBC population. He urged every member of the community to join the movement.
The Yatra organised by the Sakal OBC Mahamorcha will traverse through 11 districts of Vidarbha before concluding in Chandrapur on August 9.
–IANS
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