1 week Ago
Rising Bharat Summit 2025: Sachin Pilot stressed that equitable growth is key to India’s development, and...
Read More Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan MLA Sachin Pilot at CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi on Tuesday said India today is facing massive underemployment, and “equitable growth is key to its development." “Growth is not the only criteria, equitable growth is key and youth have a lot to contribute to this vision," Pilot said. When asked about why political parties are co-opted in freebie culture, Pilot said he believes it India’s constitutional ability to provide financial benefits and assistance to people who are not yet part of the mainstream.
“I am all for targeted support. There are political parties who don’t have the history of delivering," he pointed out. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi talks about caste-based reservation, but what will happen to merit then? Pilot said he agrees that “we need to have merit-based system in the country.
But on the flip-side, there are people who have not been able to enter the mainstream". “We must have a headcount of social and economic background of people. We need to understand which section of our society needs help.
Let us have merit-based system. Let us not be bound by history and legacy..
. there should be a scientific process (in place)," Pilot said. Is it possible to increase the reservation beyond 50%? Pilot said if one can make supplies abundant, there will not be a problem.
“I am asking for level-playing field. We need to have a balance. Let us find a scientific proof," he added.
Rahul Gandhi had said during the 2024 election campaign that the Congress would remove the Supreme Court-mandated 50% cap on caste-based reservation and increase quota benefits for people from Dalit, backward and tribal communities. The BJP, however, alleged that the Congress plans to tinker with the reservation for backward classes to benefit Muslims. When asked why the Congress is failing to retain its young talent, Pilot said some people have compulsions to quit.
“People who are committed to party’s ideology, will remain with the party. Our workers and leaders will voice the issue and make the government accountable," Pilot stressed. The session was part of CNN-News18’s Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi on April 8-9 which will see over 75 power-packed sessions, with more than 100 visionary speakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
.
