"Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari" has long been linked to leaders like Kanshi Ram of the BSP and Lalu Prasad Yadav of the RJD. In recent years, it has been echoed by new-generation voices like Prashant Kishor and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, all calling for proportional power sharing. On 22 September 2023, Rahul Gandhi also tweeted this slogan, signaling his support.

After the AICC Congress session of Ahmedabad, it appears that Rahul has shifted focus—from the earlier message of "Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan khol raha hoon" (I am opening a shop of love in the market of hate) to now championing "Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari" as a central theme of his politics. After the Ahmedabad AICC session, Rahul Gandhi tweeted that

कल, AICC के अहमदाबाद अधिवेशन 'न्यायपथ' में कांग्रेस ने देश के बहुजनों को हिस्सेदारी देकर, सामाजिक न्याय को मज़बूत करने के लिए 3 ऐतिहासिक संकल्प लिए हैं। 

1. हम राष्ट्रीय कानून लाकर आरक्षण की 50% सीमा को खत्म करेंगे। 

2. केंद्रीय कानून बनाकर SC/ST Sub Plan को कानूनी आकार देंगे और इन वर्गों की जनसंख्या के आधार पर बजट में हिस्सेदारी देंगे। 

3. संविधान के अनुच्छेद 15(5) में निर्धारित SC, ST और OBC के निजी शिक्षण संस्थानों में आरक्षण के अधिकार को लागू करवाएंगे। 

देश के बहुजनों के लिए हमारा संदेश साफ है - आपके भविष्य से जुड़े इन मुद्दों पर हमारा साथ निभाएं, हाथ को मज़बूत बनाएं...क्योंकि, हाथ बदलेगा हालात!

Caste politics is just as harmful as communal politics, yet the media remains silent when Rahul Gandhi uses it. He often criticizes the BJP and RSS for dividing people on religious lines, but now he’s doing the same through caste with his slogan, "Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari." This slogan has far-reaching implications. And the first uncomfortable question begins with Rahul Gandhi’s own tweet endorsing it.

जितनी आबादी, उतनी हिस्सेदारी - ये हमारे OBC भाई-बहनों का हक़ है!

 Caste Census के आंकड़े अभी जारी करो, नई जनगणना जाति के आधार पर करो। 

महिला आरक्षण को 10 साल बाद नहीं, अभी से लागू करो।

In this context, Rahul Gandhi called on the government to implement the Women’s Reservation Bill. However, a crucial question arises: Women make up 50% of the population, yet the proposed reservation under the bill is only 33%. Given Gandhi's own slogan “Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari”, does the Congress party commit to ensuring 50% reservation for women?

Rahul Gandhi’s key slogan focuses on caste, especially the OBC (Other Backward Classes) group. As of April 12, 2018, there are 2,479 castes listed in the Central OBC list. This list is categorized state-wise—for instance, Tamil Nadu has 192 OBC castes, Gujarat has 105, and so on.

The slogan “Jitni Aabadi, Utni Hissedari” suggests that reservations within the OBC category should be split according to the population of each caste. This would mean each caste within the OBC group would receive a separate quota based on its numbers. Is Rahul Gandhi prepared to take this step? If implemented, this principle could lead to further division in society, causing competition and conflict among castes for a larger share of the reservation benefits.

Thirdly,  As per the slogan “Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari” , It advocates for increasing Lok Sabha seats in populous states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which are currently underrepresented relative to their population. Given this, will Congress and Rahul Gandhi stick to the slogan “Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari” when the issue of delimitation arises? Let’s not forget,  its ally DMK staunchly opposes population-based seat sharing in delimitation. Equality talk sounds hollow when your own partners reject the formula.

When it comes to Religion, This slogan also promotes majoritarianism, similar to the narrative currently pushed by the BJP.  When he talks about “Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari”, does he intend to reduce the representation of communities like Parsis, Jains, and other minorities, who have contributed significantly to nation-building far beyond their numerical strength? Doesn’t Rahul Gandhi’s slogan, in this context, risk insulting these communities' contribution to the nation?

Firth, when it comes to geography, the less populated Himalayan and Northeastern states receive disproportionately higher funds compared to their population size. This is because these regions often lack their own economic resources and need greater central support for development. Rahul Gandhi’s slogan “Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari” runs contrary to this principle. This slogan then advocates for reducing the funds allocated to these strategically and ecologically vital states?

After the AICC session in Ahmedabad, Rahul Gandhi declared that Congress will push to scrap the 50% reservation cap. Ironically, his Twitter cover shows him holding the Constitution, and he often cites it in speeches. But Article 14 guarantees equality — and based on it, the Supreme Court set the 50% limit in the Indra Sawhney judgment. Isn’t Rahul going against the very Constitution he claims to uphold? Or does he believe only OBC rights matter?

Rahul Gandhi’s slogan "Jitni abaadi, utna hissedari" stands in contrast to the values once upheld by the Congress Party and even his own forefathers, like Jawaharlal Nehru and Motilal Nehru.

Back in 1928, a committee led by Motilal Nehru drafted a report on constitutional rights and reforms. In response, Muhammad Ali Jinnah proposed his famous 14-point programme, demanding separate electorates for Muslims and fair representation of muslims in government jobs—an early version of the same idea: political rights based on population. At the time, the Congress strongly opposed this approach, believing it would divide the country along communal lines. Today, Rahul Gandhi’s slogan echoes what the Congress once firmly rejected.

Jawaharlal Nehru spoke of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world as one family. Mahatma Gandhi preached brotherhood and unity. Sardar Patel worked tirelessly to make India united. But by embracing caste-based politics on the very land of Gandhi and Patel — Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi has distanced himself from the inclusive vision of these leaders. In doing so, he has undermined the rich legacy of the Congress Party, which once stood for unity beyond caste and religion.

The nation—especially its aspiring youth—needs a leader who speaks up about real issues like unemployment, inflation, and exploitation in the private sector etc. As the leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi had a chance to become that voice. But he failed to seize the opportunity.