“The people of Orissa and Chattisgarh are not much politically aware and their lack of participation (in the political process) is the reason why the people of these states have lagged behind in the race for development,” he said.

Gandhi, who arrived Amethi on Friday morning for a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, was replying to queries from participants in the “Rashtriya Ekta Shivir” (national unity camp) organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra.

“I had recently visited both the states and experienced that casteism and discrimination were rampant there,” he said.

Taking exception to “self-importance” that politicians and bureaucrats accorded to themselves, Gandhi said leaders, after winning elections, and policemen, after wearing their uniforms, forget their responsibilities.

“Perhaps they forget that all people in this country are Indians,” he said, adding this problem was not confined to a particular state but was a matter of concern for the entire country.

He asked the youth to come forward to counter the menace of casteism and communalism.