Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged party leaders from the Minority Department to openly raise issues affecting Muslims and other communities, and to ensure stronger representation within the party structure.
According to sources, Gandhi made these remarks during a meeting of the advisory council of the Congress Minority Department, where internal strategy and community outreach were discussed.
“Don’t Use Minority, Say Muslim”: Rahul Gandhi
Sources present at the meeting said Rahul Gandhi stressed that the Congress should not avoid using specific community identities while raising concerns.
“If injustice is done against a Muslim, one should raise their voice specifically as a ‘Muslim’, rather than merely as a member of a ‘minority’ group,” he reportedly said.
He also extended the same approach to other communities, saying issues related to Dalits, OBCs, and general category citizens should also be addressed directly using their specific identities.
“Rahul Gandhi’s direct message was that the Congress party should not shy away from using the word ‘Muslim’,” a party leader present at the meeting said. “Instead of saying ‘minority’, people should be more specific.”
Push for Greater Representation Within Congress Structure
Gandhi also reportedly asked the Minority Department to build a stronger platform to ensure better participation and representation of minority communities within the party.
The discussion focused on improving internal inclusion and making sure that different social groups have a clearer voice in decision-making processes.
Remarks on Elections, “Vote Theft” and Opposition
During the meeting, Gandhi also referred to allegations of “vote theft,” a term used by opposition parties to question electoral fairness.
He said former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier not supported the Congress on this issue but has now joined calls for a broader movement.
Sources said he also questioned the fairness of recent elections in West Bengal and Assam, claiming they were not conducted in a fully “free and fair” manner.
Criticism of Government’s Economic Handling
Gandhi also made comments on the country’s economic situation, suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not capable of managing long-term economic challenges effectively.
He reportedly said the current economic conditions reflect deeper structural issues that require stronger governance and planning.
The meeting is seen as part of Congress’s ongoing efforts to sharpen its political messaging ahead of upcoming state elections.
