Delhi, 1 May (H.S.): A day after the Centre’s announcement to record caste data in the next Census, a poster outside Congress headquarters in Delhi credits Rahul Gandhi for influencing the decision. The poster, by party leader Srinivas BV, features Gandhi and his advocacy for a caste Census, claiming it will enhance affirmative action for marginalized communities.

It states, We said Modi ji would have to get a caste Census done. Congress asserts that their pressure compelled the government to act, while the ruling BJP counters that Congress has historically opposed such measures, using the issue merely for political gain.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that caste enumeration should be incorporated transparently into the Census to strengthen social and economic structures.

Following the announcement, Gandhi expressed his commitment on X to ensure an effective caste Census, acknowledging the efforts of advocates for this cause.

In response, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Congress’s claims, asserting that historical leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru opposed caste-based reservations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar