The Modi govt has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming decennial census, a first such exercise in more than 90 years. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) decision should also clear the way for the much-awaited census.
It comes ahead of elections in caste-sensitive Bihar and amid a govt-opposition tussle over leadership of the numerically predominant and politically significant OBC community. It also snatches a major talking point from Congress, especially with Rahul Gandhi repeatedly taking it up and making it virtually the chief issue in the opposition’s armoury.
At a press conference, I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Congress talked about - with then PM Manmohan Singh telling Lok Sabha that the matter will be considered by the cabinet - but did not act on it.
During UPA’s tenure, a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) had been undertaken and subsequently some states, including Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka, have undertaken surveys.
Vaishnaw accused some of the opposition-led states of conducting caste surveys for political reasons and said the Modi govt had resolved to transparently include caste enumeration in the forthcoming pan-India census exercise. “This demonstrates that our govt is committed to the values and interests of our society and country, like in the past when our govt had introduced 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections of the society without causing stress in any section of society,” he said.
In a post on X, home minister Amit Shah called it “a message of strong commitment towards social equality and rights of every section”.
Addressing the media, Rahul described it as a “sudden decision” that came after it was opposed by the ruling party for 11 years. “We support this completely, but we want a timeline. We want to know by when it will be done,” he said.
