Former minister of finance and external affairs for the government of India, Yashwant Sinha, on Wednesday slammed leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, for dragging Indian army into caste politics. Sinha further said that the Indian Army has is patriotism, courage and sacrifice.
Sinha’s comments came after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, claimed at an election rally that the Indian Army is “under the control of 10% of the country’s population.” The popular interpretation of Gandhi’s remark correlates the top 10 per cent comment to the dominance of the upper castes in the army.
“I am disappointed at Rahul Gandhi dragging the Indian Army into a caste debate. The only caste the Indian Army has is patriotism, courage and sacrifice.” Sinha posted on X.
The comments were made by Rahul Gandhi during an election campaign rally in Bihar’s Kutumba constituency on November 4, 2025, ahead of the state assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi has been a vocal proponent of a nationwide caste census and has consistently argued that various key institutions in the country are controlled disproportionately by a small segment of the upper caste population.
“We want the data. How many Dalits, OBC (Other Backwards Classes), tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there” in the institutions” Gandhi was further heard saying in the rally.
Highlighting cast based inequality across the country, Gandhi further claimed that despite 90% of the population belonging to marginalised communities, including Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, and minorities, they are underrepresented in corporate India, bureaucracy, judiciary, and other key institutions.
“All the bank’s money goes to them; they (top 10%) get all the jobs, and they even dominate most positions in bureaucracy. They control everything. Look at the judiciary. They handle everything there, too. They even have control over the army. And you will not find 90% of the population anywhere,” Gandhi said earlier today during an election campaign rally in Bihar’s Kutumba.
The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are being held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, 2025. The results will be declared on November 14, 2025.