RahuI Gandhi Sparks Row, Claims 10% Control Indian Army; BJP Calls Remark ‘Anti-Army’

New Delhi: Addressing an election rally in Kutumba, Bihar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made a statement that has stirred political controversy. He claimed that the Indian Army is controlled by only 10 percent of the country's population. Rahul Gandhi's statement was aimed at highlighting inequality and representation in society, but the BJP has strongly protested, calling it an insult to the army. 90% of the Population Lacks Representation In his speech, Rahul Gandhi stated that 90 percent of India's population comprises Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, extremely backward classes, and minority communities, but their representation in power, industry, and the army is negligible. PM Modi Targets RJD and Congress in Bihar Rally, Praises Nitish Government’s Welfare Schemes He said that none of the top 500 companies in the country have a person from a Dalit or backward community in a leadership position—all positions are held by the top 10 percent of society. He further added that even the army is controlled by this 10 percent, while the remaining 90 percent have no representation whatsoever. Targeting Nitish Kumar Rahul Gandhi also criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in his speech. He said that people from Bihar are working as laborers across the country, but they are not getting employment in their own state. Rahul said, “Nitish Kumar has turned the people of Bihar into laborers. [caption id="attachment_158334" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar[/caption] Modi and Amit Shah control Nitish Kumar like a puppet.” With this statement, he attempted to make unemployment and migration from Bihar a major election issue. BJP's Counterattack: Insult to the Army The BJP reacted sharply to Rahul Gandhi's statement. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Rahul Gandhi now wants to divide the Indian Army on the basis of caste. Our army does not see religion, caste, or class—it only works with the spirit of ‘Nation First.’” The BJP called Rahul Gandhi “anti-Indian Army” and “a breaker of national unity.” PM Modi calls NDA Manifesto a vision for ‘Self-reliant, developed Bihar’; Can It transform the State’s future? Political Debate Intensifies Rahul Gandhi's statement has ignited a new debate in the election campaign. The Congress is portraying it as an issue of social justice and equality, while the BJP is labeling it as anti-national thinking. In the coming days, this statement could become a major issue in Bihar's election politics.