Statement of National Commission for Backward class in response to the statement of Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s OBC status

During one public meeting, Shri Rahul Gandhi made statement questioning Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s OBC status.

The National Commission for Backward Classes, hereby make clear that Modh Ghanchi caste is in Mandal List at 91 (a). Notification for inclusion of Modh Ghanchi caste in the State List of OBC was issued by the Gujarat Government on 25^th July 1994.

National Commission for Backward Classes tendered advice to Union Government on 15.11.1997 for inclusion of Modh-Ghanchi in the Central List of OBCs for the State of Gujarat and Gazette Notification for the same was issued on 27.10.1999.  As per National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, the Advice of the National Commission for Backward Classes for inclusion of any caste/community in the Central List of OBCs was ordinarily binding on the Union Government.  There are 104 castes/communities in the Central List of OBCs for the State of Gujarat including Modh Ghanchi caste.

It may be noted that when both of above decisions for inclusion of Modh-Ghanchi in the State List of OBCs as well as in the Central List of OBCs were taken, Shri Narendra Modi held no legislative or executive position.

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MG/MS/VL