The Narendra Modi-led Government has decided to include the caste enumeration in the forthcoming census exercise. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ohas taken a decision in this regard.
Briefing media about the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said some states have done this well, while some others have conducted such surveys purely from a political angle and in a non-transparent way. He added that such surveys have created doubts in society.
Vaishnaw said, considering all these facts and to ensure that the country’s social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be transparently included in the Census instead of surveys. The Minister highlighted that it will strengthen the social and economic structure of the society while the nation continues to progress.
He underlined that the move demonstrates that the Narendra Modi government is committed to the values and interests of the society and country, like in the past, when it had introduced 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections without causing stress in any section of the society.
Vaishnaw alleged, “Congress governments have always opposed the caste census. In 2010, the late Dr Manmohan Singh said that the matter of caste census should be considered in the Cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this subject. Most of the political parties have recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress government decided to conduct a survey of caste or a caste census.”
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has welcomed the decision of the Centre to conduct the Caste Census in the country. He said it is a positive initiative. He said that by caste enumeration, it will exactly establish the number of various classes, and the outcome of the Caste Census will help in the formulation of development plans and their upliftment.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to conduct a caste census, but demanded a clear timeline for its completion, calling it just the ‘first step’ toward deeper social reform. He also offered Congress’ support in helping the government design and implement the census.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue. Some states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka have conducted such surveys.
Rahul Gandhi said, “We had said in the Parliament that we will make the caste census happen. We had also said that we would scrap the 50 per cent cap, the artificial wall that is in place. Narendra Modi used to say that there are just four cases. Don’t know what happened, but suddenly, after 11 years, the caste census has been announced. We completely support it, but we want a timeline. We want to know when it will be done.”