Congress questions PM Modi’s delay in caste-inclusive census
New Delhi: The Congress party has raised concerns over the apparent delay in conducting the national census, particularly the inclusion of a caste count, which they argue is crucial for achieving social, economic, and political justice in India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, emphasized the urgency of this issue during a press briefing on Monday.
Ramesh pointed out that while Sri Lanka is set to begin its Population and Housing Census—its first since 2012—India has yet to conduct its decennial census, which was originally scheduled for 2021. “What about India? There is still no sign of it happening,” Ramesh stated in a post on X.
He criticized the Modi administration for failing to provide clarity on the timeline for the census, particularly in the context of the country’s ongoing political and economic challenges.
The Congress leader highlighted the repercussions of the delay, noting that over 10 crore Indians are being denied benefits under the National Food Security Act, 2013, and the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana because the government is still relying on the 2011 census data. “This outdated enumeration affects millions of citizens who are unable to access vital assistance,” Ramesh explained.
Ramesh also underscored the need for a detailed caste enumeration, reiterating a demand supported by various political parties. He argued that while the enumeration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been conducted every decade since 1951, a similar comprehensive count of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other castes is now essential. “Only through a caste census can we ensure meaningful social, economic, and political justice in education and employment,” he asserted.
In a pointed remark, Ramesh questioned the Prime Minister’s motivations, asking, “Why is the non-biological PM continuing to delay the Census that will also include a caste count?” His comments reflect growing frustration among opposition parties regarding the lack of action on this critical issue.
As the political discourse around the census intensifies, the Congress party is calling for immediate action to address the concerns surrounding caste representation and the implications of delayed enumeration for millions of Indians.
A caste-based census could reveal shifts in demographics that may highlight the proportion of various caste groups within and outside the Hindu community, particularly the lower castes and OBCs. This might lead to increased political mobilization among these groups, potentially changing the electoral landscape.
