New Delhi, April 30 (HS): In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national census, marking a significant policy shift as caste data hasn’t been collected since the 2011 census. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that this move aims to centralize data collection, avoiding discrepancies that arise from state-level surveys.

Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the caste census signifies the Modi government’s commitment to social equality and justice for all sections of society.

BJP President JP Nadda announced on X that the central cabinet has made a historic decision to implement a caste-based census, which is crucial for mainstreaming backward castes and restoring their rights. He criticized Congress for fostering animosity and opposing the census since independence, using castes for political gain. Nadda termed this decision by the Modi government a milestone for social harmony and the upliftment of all classes, especially the backward sections, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister.

The decision has been celebrated as a victory by opposition parties, particularly the RJD, which has long advocated for this measure. Tejashwi Yadav, a key leader in the RJD, lauded the decision as fulfilling a 30-year-old demand that had previously been overlooked by the central government. He urged the government to conduct the caste census before any delimitation processes to ensure adequate representation for OBCs, SCs, STs, and Adivasis in legislative bodies. This announcement signifies a pivotal moment in India’s approach to social justice, aiming to better represent marginalized communities through accurate data collection.

Overall, the move has sparked positive responses from various political factions, marking a progressive step toward addressing long-standing issues of social representation in the country.

RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav highlighted the successful caste survey conducted in Bihar, advocating for a 65% increase in reservations and urging the government to complete a caste census before any delimitation process. This is crucial to ensure adequate representation for OBCs, SCs, STs, and Adivasis in parliament and state assemblies.

Congress leader Udit Raj hailed the cabinet’s approval of the caste census as a victory, noting that the Modi government had finally conceded to this long-standing demand, signaling a change in their approach.

Similarly, Samajwadi Party’s Fakhrul Hasan Chand expressed cautious optimism about the accuracy of the census process, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy credited Telangana for its caste survey and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting the proposal, underscoring the importance of understanding various caste needs for equitable development.

Yadav recounted his earlier efforts in Parliament to push for a caste census during the 2011 census and reminisced about the first Bihar caste survey under the Mahagathbandhan government. He reiterated the historical significance of including caste enumeration in the upcoming census, underscoring its role in addressing the demand for improved representation and inclusion of marginalized communities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar