Rahul Gandhi Alleges ‘Not Found Suitable’ Category is Used to Disqualify SC, ST, and OBC Candidates
Rahul Gandhi Raises Concerns About ‘Anti-Reservation’ Moves
Leader of the opposition in India’s Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused several IITs and Central Universities of engaging in ‘anti-reservation’ practices. Gandhi claims that these institutions are using a category called ‘Not Found Suitable’ (NFS) to disqualify qualified candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). He made these allegations during an interaction with students from Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and shared a video of his remarks on social media platform X.
‘Not Found Suitable’ – A New Form of Manuism?
In his video, Gandhi strongly condemned the use of the ‘NFS’ category, calling it ‘the new Manuism.’ He argues that this practice is deliberately designed to keep SC, ST, and OBC candidates away from education and leadership opportunities. Gandhi emphasized the importance of education as a tool for equality, quoting the renowned social reformer Babasaheb Ambedkar, who famously said, ‘Education is the biggest weapon for equality.’
Gandhi’s Accusations Span Multiple Institutions
According to Gandhi, the issue extends beyond Delhi University. He states that similar ‘conspiracies’ are happening in IITs and other Central Universities across the country. He claims that a significant number of reserved positions for professors and associate professors remain vacant in these institutions, with ‘NFS’ being cited as the reason.
A Fight for Rights, Respect, and Participation
Gandhi characterized the situation as a fight not just for education and employment, but for fundamental rights, respect, and meaningful participation in society. He pledged to stand with DUSU students and vowed to challenge every ‘anti-reservation’ move by the BJP/RSS with the power of the Indian Constitution.
Government’s Stance on Caste Census
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently hailed the decision to conduct a caste census, emphasizing that it aims to include those who have been left behind in the development process. Modi has stressed that his government’s focus is on empowering marginalized communities rather than engaging in caste-based politics. Last month, the Indian government announced that the upcoming population census will include caste data for the first time since independence.
