Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party following Rahul’s criticism of the government’s use of the “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) category in public recruitment. Gandhi had called it a “new form of casteism,” alleging that SC, ST, and OBC candidates were deliberately excluded from leadership and education opportunities. Pradhan, however, dismissed the remark as misleading and accused Congress of historically denying rights to marginalised communities.
“Royal family betrayed Dalits and backward classes”
In a series of posts on X, Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi of being unaware of his own party’s history. “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have become the biggest brand ambassadors of lies and deceit,” he wrote, adding that SCs, STs, and OBCs were consistently overlooked under Congress rule. Citing data, Pradhan noted that during the UPA government (2004–2014), 57% of SC, 63% of ST, and 60% of OBC teaching positions in central universities were vacant.
Modi government filled long-pending posts
Pradhan credited the Modi-led government with prioritising the recruitment of faculty from marginalised communities. He claimed that the number of teaching positions was increased from 16,217 to 18,940, and vacancies were brought down from 37% to 25.95% since 2014. The process to fill remaining vacancies, he said, is still ongoing.
Data comparison hits back at Congress
The minister contrasted faculty recruitment under Congress and BJP governments:
Under Congress (2004–14): 83 SC, 14 ST, and 166 OBC faculty were recruited in IITs; 261 SC, 72 ST, and 334 OBC in NITs. Under BJP (2014–24): 398 SC, 99 ST, and 746 OBC faculty joined IITs; 929 SC, 265 ST, and 1510 OBC in NITs.
He also noted that the Modi government removed the mandatory PhD requirement for Assistant Professor positions, making it easier for more candidates from diverse backgrounds to qualify.
‘NFS was Congress’s legacy’
Pradhan alleged that the very existence of the “Not Found Suitable” label was a product of Congress-era policies that discriminated against the disadvantaged. “The NFS that Rahul Gandhi is talking about was the result of the anti-Dalit, anti-marginalised mindset of the Congress,” he wrote. According to Pradhan, Congress’s historical neglect is what institutionalised the NFS barrier in the first place.
What did Rahul Gandhi post?
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi had posted on X:
“’Not Found Suitable’ is the new casteism. Under Modi government, eligible SC/ST/OBC candidates are being deliberately declared ineligible to keep them away from education and leadership.”
