New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): In a significant decision, the government on Wednesday decided that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census.
Briefing the media about the decisions taken by the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that some states have done caste surveys and conducting a census is in the domain of the central government.
He said the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census.
Vaishnaw alleged that Congress governments “have always opposed caste census”.
“Caste was not included in all the census operations conducted since independence. In 2010, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singhji had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered in the cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this subject. Most political parties recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress government decided to conduct only a survey of caste instead of a census. That survey is known as SECC,” Vaishnaw said.
“It is well understood that Congress and its INDI alliance partners have only used the caste census as a political tool. As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, the subject census is listed at 69 in the Union list in the 7th schedule. According to the Constitution of India, census is a Union subject. Some states have conducted surveys to enumerate caste. Some states have done this well, while some others have conducted such surveys purely from a political angle in a non-transparent way. Considering all these facts and to ensure that a social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be transparently included in the census instead of surveys,” he added.
Vaishnaw said this will strengthen the social and economic structure of the society while the nation continues to progress.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census. This demonstrates that the government is committed to the values and interests of the society and the country,” he said.
The minister said that the Modi government had earlier introduced ten per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections without causing any stress on any section of the society.
Congress has been demanding a caste census, with party leaders repeatedly making the demand in their speeches.
“Will accelerate development…”: Bihar CM hails Union Cabinet’s decision on caste census
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, calling it a long-standing demand that will help design targeted development schemes and accelerate national progress.
Taking to X, CM Nitish Kumar said that the demand for a caste census had been raised long ago.
“The decision of the Central Government to conduct caste census is welcome. Our demand for conducting a caste census is old. It is a matter of great happiness that the Central Government has decided to conduct caste census. Conducting caste census will reveal the number of people of different classes, which will help in making plans for their upliftment and development. This will accelerate the development of the country. Congratulations and thanks to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for the decision to conduct caste census,” he wrote.
Earlier in the day, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media about the decision, saying the move would strengthen the country’s social and economic structure.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census. This demonstrates that the government is committed to the values and interests of the society and the country,” he said.
Notably, the Bihar government had already conducted a caste-based survey and released its report on October 2, 2023, when Nitish Kumar was heading a coalition government with the Mahagathbandhan.
Reacting to the development, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the Centre’s decision would be implemented.
“If the Union Cabinet has taken this decision, then it will be conducted,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar linked the announcement to the upcoming Bihar elections.
“We welcome this decision as it was our longstanding demand. Bihar elections should be the only motive behind this,” he said.
“Victory for all socialists, Lalu Yadav”: Tejashwi Yadav lauds Cabinet’s decision on caste census
Reacting to the Union Cabinet’s approval to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming population census, RJD leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav hailed the decision as a historic victory for social justice and a long-standing demand of the socialist movement led by Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Tejashwi told ANI, “This has been our demand for over 30 years. It’s not just a political development, it’s a victory for all socialists and Lalu Yadav.”
He recalled that the Cabinet had approved the caste census as far back as 1996–97, but it was never carried out due to opposition from then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
“Despite the Cabinet’s nod, Vajpayee ji did not allow it to proceed,” he said.
Tejashwi pointed out that even recently, multiple political parties from Bihar had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for caste-based enumeration.
“The Prime Minister initially turned down our demand. Many ministers had denied any possibility of it. But this decision shows the strength of our consistent struggle, they’ve been forced to act on our agenda,” he asserted.
In a significant decision, the government on Wednesday decided that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census.
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed a press briefing on the Cabinet’s decision, stating that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) had decided that caste enumeration would be part of the upcoming census.
Vaishnaw said this move would strengthen the social and economic structure of society while the nation continues to progress.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs has decided today that caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census. This demonstrates that the government is committed to the values and interests of the society and the country,” he said.
The minister also highlighted that the Modi government had earlier introduced a ten per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections without causing any stress on other sections of society.
Congress has long been advocating for a caste census, with party leaders frequently reiterating the demand in their speeches.
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