PATNA, Sept. 25 -- In a landmark event ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the Congress party, alongside its INDIA bloc allies, launched the 'Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) Justice Pledge' here on Wednesday. The event, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and VIP chief Mukesh Sahni, saw the Mahagathbandhan commit to a transformative 10-point programme aimed at uplift of marginalised communities. The event drew special participation from representatives of the EBC community, signalling a strategic outreach to a key voter base. In his address, Rahul Gandhi emphasised the urgent need for a nationwide caste census and the removal of the 50% reservation cap to ensure equitable participation for marginalised groups. "Even today in this country, there are EBCs, backward classes, dalits, tribals and minorities, all of whom don't receive the participation they deserve. We want to conduct a caste census and show the true population of dalits, EBCs and backward classes in this country. The entire country should know the population of minorities, tribals and the poor general castes," Gandhi declared. He contrasted this vision with restrictive policies elsewhere, stating, "In Uttar Pradesh, caste-based protests are prohibited... On one side is that thinking, and on the other is our thinking. We want to give a vision to the extremely backward classes." Gandhi also highlighted the Congress's recent 15-day Voter Adhikar Yatra across Bihar, where he engaged with youth to underscore the ongoing attack on the Constitution and citizens' rights. "Not just in Bihar, but in the entire nation, citizens' rights are being snatched away," he alleged. Recalling his parliamentary address, he reiterated, "In front of PM Modi, I said two things: first, there will be a caste-based census in the entire nation; second, we will tear apart the 50% reservation wall." The EBC Justice Pledge outlines bold measures to address systemic inequalities. Key highlights include raising the reservation bar beyond the current 50% cap, with legal immunity ensured by including it under the 9th Schedule of the Constitution, a demand strongly reiterated by Tejashwi Yadav. The pledge also commits to implementing reservations in all private colleges and universities, scrapping the discriminatory 'not found suitable' policy in appointments and providing three decimal land to landless individuals from SC/ST, OBC and EBC communities in urban areas. Additionally, it proposes a robust Prevention of Atrocities Act specifically for EBCs, the formation of an authority to oversee proper implementation of reservation policies, and extending reservations to government contracts up to Rs.25 crore. Kharge reinforced the party's commitment to social justice, stating, "We will implement a 10-point programme when we come to power in Bihar. We have to uplift those belonging to the backward classes, the dalits and others, who are deprived of their rights." He stated the Mahagathbandhan's resolve to ensure inclusive development for all marginalised sections. Tejashwi took a sharp jab at the Bihar government, labelling it a 'nakalchi' (copycat) administration lacking vision. He accused the NDA government, of being remotely controlled by Union home minister Amit Shah and PM Modi. "Nitish Kumar has been hijacked; he doesn't know what's happening, he's in a trance. The Bihar government is being run by two people: Amit Shah and Narendra Modi," Yadav charged. He further alleged that corrupt officials, opposed to reservation and the upliftment of backward classes, were exploiting Kumar's leadership to drain Bihar's resources. "Our real fight is against those corrupt officials who are using Nitish Kumar's face to empty Bihar's coffers and fill their own pockets," he added. A Congress post on X encapsulated the spirit of the event, stating, "We are committed to ensuring that every individual in society gets their rightful share and participation in the country's development." The EBC Justice Pledge and the Mahagathbandhan's focus on caste census and reservation reform signal a bold social justice agenda, positioning the alliance as a formidable contender in the upcoming Bihar elections. With the EBC community at the forefront, the event underscores the coalition's determination to address long-standing inequities and reshape Bihar's socio-political landscape....