Congress MP Rahul Gandhi ignited controversy on November 3, 2025, during a campaign rally in Kutumba, Bihar, by asserting that only 10% of India’s population—specifically upper castes—control institutions like the Indian Armed Forces, corporate sectors, and judiciary, while the remaining 90% consisting of Dalits, backward, and minority communities remain unrepresented. His remarks drew immediate condemnation from BJP leaders who accused him of divisive politics, disrespecting the Indian Army, and undermining national unity. This is part of a recurring pattern of such statements by Rahul Gandhi, who repeatedly uses caste-based divisive rhetoric for election canvassing without sparing even the most secular and apolitical institution like the Army. Critics argue that his comments disregard the Army’s meritocratic recruitment and the diverse composition of its personnel, and label his remarks as a dangerous political maneuver aimed at polarization ahead of elections in Bihar. The controversy underscores heightened sensitivities around nationalism, caste dynamics, and institutional respect in India’s political discourse.