Rahul Gandhi’s claim that ‘10% of population controls Army’ triggers political storm in Bihar

Rahul Gandhi Sparks Controversy in Bihar with Comment on Army Representation.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi triggered a major political row on Tuesday with his remarks at a campaign rally in Bihar’s Kutumba, where he claimed that “10 per cent of the population controls the Army,” in reference to upper castes. His comments came ahead of the state Assembly election scheduled to begin on Thursday.

‘Army Controlled by Top 10%’: Gandhi’s Claim
Addressing a public gathering, Gandhi asserted that 90 per cent of India’s population comprises Dalits, Maha Dalits, backward classes, extremely backward groups, and minorities — communities that he said remain underrepresented in key sectors.

“If you look at India’s 500 largest companies, you won’t find people from Dalit or backward communities. All the top positions and jobs go to that top 10 per cent. They control the armed forces too. The remaining 90 per cent have no representation anywhere,” Gandhi said.

He added that the Congress envisions an inclusive India that gives dignity, opportunity, and representation to the majority population. “We want an India where the 90 per cent can live with dignity and happiness. The Congress has always fought for their rights,” he said.

BJP Slams Remarks as ‘Anti-Army’
Reacting sharply, BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua accused Gandhi of “bringing caste into the Armed Forces,” calling the statement “an insult to India’s soldiers.”
“Rahul Gandhi is now searching for caste in the Army. In his hatred for PM Modi, he has crossed into hating India itself,” Nakhua said.

Past Controversies over Defence Comments
This is not the first time Gandhi has faced backlash over his comments on the military. Earlier this year, he was reprimanded by the Supreme Court over remarks made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he claimed that Chinese troops were “thrashing Indian soldiers” in Arunachal Pradesh and had occupied 2,000 sq km of Indian territory.

A retired defence officer later filed a defamation case against him in Lucknow, alleging that Gandhi’s statements insulted the armed forces. The Allahabad High Court refused to quash the case, and Gandhi subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court.

During the hearing, a bench led by Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih questioned the Congress leader’s credibility, observing, “If you are a true Indian, you would not say all this.”

Gandhi’s latest remarks have reignited the debate over his stance on the armed forces, drawing sharp criticism from political opponents ahead of the Bihar polls.