Rahul Gandhi has done it again. In his latest interview, he has discovered a new villain—meritocracy. According to him, merit is an “upper-caste construct” designed to keep Dalits and tribals at a disadvantage. In other words, if someone excels in academics, clears a tough exam, or builds a business empire through hard work, it’s not because of talent or dedication, but because of an unfair caste-based system.
If this sounds absurd, that’s because it is. But then again, absurdity has never stopped Gandhi from making bizarre proclamations before. The real question is: why is he peddling this divisive rhetoric now?
Merit is Casteist—Because Rahul Says So?
Gandhi’s statement suggests that the very idea of rewarding intelligence, effort, and competence is inherently oppressive. What’s next? Should we hand out degrees and government jobs based on emotional appeal rather than qualifications? Should surgeons be appointed based on their caste rather than their ability to save lives? Should pilots be selected not for their flying skills but for their ‘social representation’?
The answer to all these questions is obvious—merit matters. And any attempt to dismiss it as an ‘upper-caste conspiracy’ is not just foolish but downright dangerous.
Dynasty Lecturing Us on Merit? The Irony Writes Itself
Perhaps the most laughable part of this whole charade is that it’s coming from Rahul Gandhi—the poster boy of dynastic privilege. A man whose entire political career exists not because of his intellect, leadership, or hard work, but because of his last name.
For someone who inherited his position without any proven credentials, it’s ironic to hear him lecture the country on how “merit is unfair.” Was he elected Congress president because of his qualifications or because his family treats the party like personal property? The answer is obvious. If there’s any system that needs dismantling, it’s the feudal politics of dynasty—not meritocracy.
Divide and Rule 2.0—The Gandhi Version
Unable to win elections on development, policies, or vision, the Congress party has resorted to its old playbook—creating divisions within society. If people can’t be convinced to vote for them based on performance, why not manufacture a crisis? Why not tell one group that they are being ‘oppressed’ and another that they are ‘privileged’? Why not pit communities against each other while pretending to be their savior?
This is not leadership—it’s a cynical and dangerous strategy aimed at fracturing society for political gains. And the worst part? It doesn’t actually help the people it claims to represent. Telling someone they are doomed to fail because of their caste is far more disempowering than giving them opportunities to succeed.
Merit: The Great Equalizer
The truth is, merit is not the enemy—it’s the solution. It is the one system that allows a poor student to rise above their circumstances, a self-made entrepreneur to outshine the privileged, and a talented professional to achieve greatness regardless of background.
Instead of dismissing merit as an “upper-caste” tool, the real focus should be on:
• Improving access to quality education for all sections of society.
• Ensuring economic support for the underprivileged so that they can compete fairly.
• Eliminating political dynasties that keep deserving leaders out of power.
Rahul Gandhi’s attack on meritocracy is not about justice—it’s about political survival. By rejecting merit, he is not advocating for fairness; he is advocating for mediocrity. And by pushing divisive rhetoric, he is not helping marginalized communities; he is exploiting them for votes.
India doesn’t need dynasts telling us that competence is unfair. It needs leaders who believe in empowering people with the tools to succeed—regardless of caste, class, or background. Maybe it’s time Rahul Gandhi applied for a real job instead of inheriting one—perhaps then he’d understand the value of merit.