Will protect Constitution that gives Bahujans their rights: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi. Pic/PTI

The Congress will protect that Constitution that gives Bahujans their rights but true inclusion and equality for all in the society will be possible only when every Indian strives with the spirit of brotherhood in their hearts, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Monday.

Rahul Gandhi shared a video on his social media handles of his recent interaction at a Dalit household where he helped out in cooking a meal in their kitchen.

"Even today, very few people know about Dalit kitchens. As Shahu Patole said, 'Nobody knows what Dalits eat.' Intrigued by what they eat, how they cook, and its social and political significance, I spent an afternoon with Ajay Tukaram Sanade and Anjana Tukaram Sanade," Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X along with the video.

"They honored me by inviting me to their home in Kolhapur, Maharashtra to help out in the kitchen. Together we cooked 'chane ke saag ki sabzi '? 'harbharyachi bhaji', and 'tuvar dal' with brinjal," the former Congress president said.

"Drawing on Patole and the Sanade family's personal experiences with caste and discrimination, we discussed the lack of awareness about Dalit cuisine and the importance of documenting this culture," he said.

The Constitution gives Bahujans a share and rights, and we will protect that Constitution, he asserted.

But true inclusion and equality for all in the society will be possible only when every Indian strives with the spirit of brotherhood in their hearts, Gandhi said.

In the video, Gandhi is seen helping out in the kitchen and then having a meal with the family at their home.

Shahu Patole informed Gandhi that he had written a book in Marathi and now translated into English 'Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada', to highlight foods eaten by the Dalits.

More and more women's participation needed in Parliament, assemblies: Rahul Gandhi

Flagging inequality in leadership roles in Parliament and state assemblies, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said for true equality, more and more women's participation is necessary in these institutions.

The former Congress chief urged women to participate in his party's 'Shakti Abhiyan', which aims to create an equal space for 'women's interests' in politics.

"Women have always been an important force in our society and politics, but still there is inequality in leadership roles in Parliament and assemblies," he said in a post in Hindi on Facebook.

"For true equality, more and more women's participation in these places is necessary," Gandhi said.

"With the thought of 'Aadhi Abadi, Poora Haq', we are dedicated to this goal. If you too are ready to bring this change, then join 'Shakti Abhiyan'," the Congress leader said.

"Your participation is very important to bring real change by strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level," he said.

"Let us become participants of this change, from the village to the nation," Gandhi said and shared a link to register for 'Shakti Abhiyan'.