Our Political Desk
The Indian National Congress, one of the oldest political parties in India, has often faced criticism regarding its treatment of Dalit leaders. A recent controversy surrounding a viral video, allegedly circulated by the ruling BJP’s IT cell, has reignited this debate.
The video, which has been widely shared and discussed in political circles, portrays Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, a senior Dalit leader, waiting outside a room while key members of the Gandhi family complete formalities for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.
The incident has raised questions about whether the Congress party truly respects Dalit leaders or merely uses them for political gains. This report seeks to analyze the historical context of the Congress party’s treatment of Dalit leaders and assess whether the current controversy fits into a broader pattern.
The video in question, aired on Republic TV and highlighted by BJP leaders, shows Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her family seated prominently in the nomination filing room while Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress party president, is seen waiting outside. The timing of the video’s release—just ahead of crucial state assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand—suggests it may have been politically motivated, with the BJP seizing the opportunity to portray Congress as disrespectful towards its Dalit leaders.
This controversy must be viewed in light of the ongoing political competition between the BJP and Congress, particularly as both parties vie for support from the Dalit community. For the BJP, which has made efforts to woo Dalit voters in recent years, this incident offers a way to criticize the Congress’s long-standing claims of championing social justice and Dalit rights.
The treatment of Mallikarjun Kharge in the viral video, if indeed accurate, raises the question of whether this reflects a broader pattern of Congress sidelining its Dalit leaders. Critics have pointed to several historical incidents where Congress allegedly failed to support prominent Dalit figures, even while outwardly promoting social justice.
One of the earliest examples often cited is the relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a prominent Dalit leader. While Nehru did include Ambedkar in his cabinet and appointed him as the head of the drafting committee for the Constitution, tensions arose between the two.
Ambedkar was reportedly marginalized within the government, particularly on key issues such as the inclusion of the word “social” in the Preamble and the controversial Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Nehru’s refusal to fully support Ambedkar’s vision, combined with his opposition to Ambedkar’s political career, including ensuring his defeat in elections, has been interpreted by some as evidence of Congress’s reluctance to genuinely empower Dalit leaders.
Another prominent incident that fuels this narrative is Congress’s treatment of Jagjivan Ram, another towering Dalit leader. Despite his seniority and experience, Jagjivan Ram was overlooked for the position of Prime Minister after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966. Instead, the Congress party chose to elevate Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter, marking the beginning of the Gandhi family’s dynastic control over the party. Many argue that Jagjivan Ram’s exclusion from the top post was a missed opportunity for Congress to demonstrate its commitment to Dalit leadership.
Further, the case of Sitaram Kesri, a long-standing Congress leader who briefly served as party president in the late 1990s, also reflects this pattern. Kesri, who was a loyal party treasurer for many years, was reportedly sidelined and eventually replaced by Sonia Gandhi in a humiliating manner, despite his efforts to steer the party during a challenging period.
Mallikarjun Kharge, an 81-year-old veteran politician from Karnataka, is one of the most senior Dalit leaders in the Congress today. His rise to the position of Congress president was initially seen as a positive step towards addressing the party’s diversity.
However, the recent video and the lack of an official response from Kharge himself have raised concerns about whether his position is symbolic or if he wields real power within the party. Although some reports suggest that Kharge denied feeling insulted, the optics of the situation—an elderly leader waiting outside while the Gandhi family conducts business—do little to inspire confidence in Congress’s commitment to its Dalit leaders.
Moreover, this incident evokes memories of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s treatment under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. When Rahul Gandhi publicly tore up an ordinance passed by Singh’s cabinet in 2013, it was seen as a major insult to the then Prime Minister. Despite this, Singh chose not to resign, damaging his credibility. Similarly, Kharge’s silence in the face of potential humiliation might be viewed as a sign of the limited agency afforded to non-dynastic leaders within the Congress.
The Congress party’s history with Dalit leaders has been fraught with contradictions. While it has promoted some Dalit leaders to prominent positions, such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mallikarjun Kharge, there is evidence to suggest that these leaders have not always been treated with the respect and authority they deserve.
The recent viral video featuring Kharge serves as a reminder that Congress still struggles with the optics of dynastic politics and genuine inclusivity. As the BJP continues to court Dalit voters, incidents like this provide them with ammunition to question Congress’s commitment to social justice and equality.
In the long run, Congress must reflect on its internal culture and ensure that leaders like Kharge are not merely symbolic figures but are empowered to lead with dignity.
