Modi govt to conduct ‘caste census’ in India, cabinet to include caste enumeration in exercise

Talking on Union Cabinet choices on Wednesday (April 30), Union Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw mentioned that the Modi authorities will conduct a caste census in India. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has determined to include ‘caste enumeration’ in the forthcoming census exercise. 

Caste enumeration must be included in census as an alternative of surveys: Vaishnaw

On caste census included with nationwide census, Union Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw mentioned,  “Congress govts have all the time opposed the caste census. In 2010, the late Dr Manmohan Singh mentioned that the matter of caste census must be thought of in the Cabinet. A gaggle of ministers was fashioned to take into account this topic. A lot of the political events have beneficial a caste census. Regardless of this, the Congress authorities determined to conduct a survey of caste or a caste census. It’s properly understood that Congress and its INDI alliance companions have used the caste census solely as a political instrument. Some states have performed surveys to enumerate castes. Whereas some states have completed this properly, some others performed such surveys solely from a political angle in a non-transparent manner. Such surveys created doubts in society. To make sure that our social material just isn’t disturbed by politics, caste enumeration must be included in the census as an alternative of surveys….”

“Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has determined right now that Caste enumeration must be included in the forthcoming census,” mentioned Union Minister Vaishnaw on Union Cabinet choices. The caste census will happen throughout the nation after nearly 94 years. 

Govt to include caste enumeration in subsequent census exercise

In a significant resolution, the federal government determined to include ‘caste enumeration’ in the forthcoming census exercise in a clear method. Asserting the choices taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned the census comes below the purview of the Centre however some states have completed caste enumeration in the identify of surveys.

Alleging that the states dominated by opposition events have completed caste surveys for political causes, the minister mentioned it’s the Modi authorities’s resolve to transparently include caste enumeration in the forthcoming pan-India census exercise. The census exercise was to start in April 2020 however obtained delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

Listed here are some key pointers of Ashwini Vaishnaw’s presser- 

• Congress governments have constantly opposed the caste census.
• Since independence, not one of the nationwide censuses have included caste enumeration.
• In 2010, the then Prime Minister, the late Dr Manmohan Singh, assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census could be thought of in the Cabinet. Subsequently, a Group of Ministers was fashioned, the place most political events beneficial conducting a caste-based census.
• Regardless of this, the Congress-led authorities selected to conduct a survey as an alternative of an precise caste census. This survey got here to be often called the SECC (Socio-Financial and Caste Census).
• Even so, Congress and events of the INDIA alliance have used the problem of caste census merely for his or her political achieve.
• In accordance to Article 246 of the Structure, the census is listed as Entry 69 in the Union Checklist, making it a central topic. Nonetheless, a number of states have performed caste enumeration by way of surveys. In some states, this course of was carried out easily, whereas in others, it was completed with political motives and lacked transparency.
• Such surveys have led to confusion and misinformation in society.
• Contemplating all these circumstances, and to be sure that the social material just isn’t subjected to political stress, caste enumeration must be included in the primary census fairly than by way of surveys.
• It will be sure that society turns into stronger each economically and socially, and the nation’s progress continues unhindered.
• On right now’s date, April 30, 2025, below the management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has determined to include caste enumeration in the upcoming nationwide census. This displays the current authorities’s dedication to the holistic welfare and values of the nation and society.
• Beforehand, too, when 10 per cent reservation was launched for the economically weaker sections, there was no unrest amongst any sections of society.

Lalu Prasad Yadav on ‘caste census’

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav mentioned, “Throughout my tenure because the Nationwide President of Janata Dal, our United Entrance authorities in Delhi determined in the 1996-97 cabinet assembly to conduct a caste-based census in the 2001 census. Nonetheless, the NDA authorities below Vajpayee later didn’t implement this resolution. Within the 2011 census, we as soon as once more strongly raised the demand for a caste-based rely in Parliament. I, together with the late Mulayam Singh Ji and the late Sharad Yadav Ji, disrupted Parliament for a number of days over this demand. Parliament solely resumed functioning after the then Prime Minister, the late Dr. Manmohan Singh, assured us of conducting a socio-economic survey. The primary-ever caste-based survey in the nation additionally befell in Bihar throughout our 17-month-long Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) authorities.”

“What we socialists considered 30 years in the past—issues like reservations, caste census, equality, fraternity, secularism—others have solely began to observe many years later. Those that referred to as us casteist for demanding a caste census have obtained a becoming response. There may be nonetheless a lot to be completed. We’ll preserve making these Sanghis dance to our agenda. Would you want this translated right into a extra formal or polished tone?,” Lalu Yadav added.