Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party’s Leader of Opposition, has once again displayed a worrying disconnect with reality, this time by suggesting that reservations should extend to beauty pageants like Femina Miss India. This proposal, seemingly absurd on its face, not only reflects a lack of understanding of the nature of these competitions but also raises serious concerns about the priorities of the Congress leadership. Beauty pageants, such as the Femina Miss India, are private events organized by media conglomerates, in this case, the Times Group. These competitions have established criteria for participation, which include being unmarried, aged between 18 and 25, and standing at least 5’5″ tall. These requirements are in place to maintain a standard within the competition, and any participant who meets them is free to enter. The notion of introducing reservations into such a privately organized event is not just impractical but also highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of these contests. If Rahul Gandhi and his party are genuinely committed to social justice, they should focus on creating opportunities for underprivileged communities through education, training, and empowerment programs rather than making frivolous demands. Instead of calling for reservations in beauty contests, the Congress could invest in identifying and nurturing talent among young women from marginalized communities, preparing them to compete on an equal footing. This would be a constructive approach that aligns with the principles of merit and fairness. The frustration and desperation behind Gandhi’s remarks have not gone unnoticed. Critics, including those from the Telugu Desam Party and the BJP, have pointed out the absurdity of such demands, with one even suggesting that Gandhi might benefit from a medical evaluation. BJP President JP Nadda, during a parliamentary debate, famously quipped that even copying requires some intellect—a pointed jab at Gandhi’s reliance on scripted speeches.
Rahul Gandhi’s demand raises a larger issue: the Congress party’s obsession with quotas and reservations as a one-size-fits-all solution to social inequalities. This obsession, while perhaps well-intentioned, risks undermining the very concept of meritocracy. The push for reservations in sectors where merit should be the primary criterion, such as the IT industry or the judiciary, has already faced significant backlash, as seen in Karnataka where a proposal to mandate reservations in the private IT sector had to be put on hold. No responsible government should prioritize reservations over merit. Instead, they should focus on providing financial assistance and support to those who show promise and determination to excel in competitive fields. Even Kanshi Ram, the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party, recognized the importance of training and preparing his community to compete on merit rather than relying solely on reservations. The Congress, despite its long history of ruling India, seems increasingly out of touch with the aspirations of a modern and merit-driven society. Their attempts to appeal to various voter bases through divisive rhetoric and empty promises only serve to further polarize the country. The party’s reliance on outdated vote-bank politics, particularly their focus on minority appeasement, has been exposed by leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi, who bluntly stated that the Congress can no longer take Muslim votes for granted. Hence, Rahul Gandhi’s suggestion to introduce reservations in beauty pageants is not only impractical but also symptomatic of a deeper problem within the Congress party. Instead of making bizarre demands, the party should focus on meaningful social justice initiatives that uplift communities through merit, education, and opportunity. The Congress must rethink its strategy if it hopes to remain relevant in a rapidly changing India.
