Government says caste to be part of its next national census

Ashwini Vaishnaw

Hitting out at the Congress, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday blamed the party for historically opposing caste census and assured that the Centre will include a caste-based enumeration in its next census.

Addressing the press during the customary cabinet briefing, Vaishnaw said: "Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has decided today that Caste enumeration should be included in the forthcoming census".

In what can be seen as a sudden departure from its stated position on caste census, Vaishnaw reasoned that social justice has always remained Modi government's foremost priority and the government would like to take a step in that direction.

Vaishnaw added that caste census exercise carried out in several states are “unscientific". Several states including NDA-ruled Bihar have already published the data on caste census.

“To ensure social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be transparently included in the census instead of being part of surveys… this will strengthen the social and economic structure of society,” the minister said.

The Bihar caste survey – the first in independent India to successfully enumerate all castes – last year found that OBCs comprise 63.13% of the state, SCs formed 19.65% and STs 1.68%. “Upper" castes were found to be 15.52% of the population. On January 19, the Andhra Pradesh government kickstarted an exercise aimed at creating a comprehensive database of people based on their castes.

The Union minister said that in the past, the government had introduced 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections of society without causing any stress in any section. The announcement, which comes ahead of the Bihar assembly polls later this year, was on top of the opposition’s agenda that has been pushing the government to carry out a caste census.

Minutes after the announcement by Vaishnaw , Congress claimed credit for the central government’s decision to include caste survey in the upcoming population census, stating that it has long been a demand of the party. Congress leader Pawan Khera, speaking to CNN-News18, said, “The timing is very interesting. We hope there is some sincerity behind the decision."

Khera further stated that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has consistently called for a caste census. “We cannot forget Rahul Gandhi’s famous words—‘Jaati janganna hoke rahegi’ (The caste census will happen). I will say the government is with Rahul Gandhi," he added.

Reacting to the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: "The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today. In the CCPA meeting held today under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, a message of strong commitment towards social equality and rights of every section has been given by deciding to include caste census in the forthcoming census.

Vaishnaw also added that in the past, the government had introduced 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections of society without causing any stress in any section. The announcement, which comes ahead of the Bihar assembly polls later this year, was on top of the opposition’s agenda that has been pushing the government to carry out a caste census.