Govt schemes framed keeping caste in mind: Chirag Paswan favours nationwide caste census

Union Minister Chirag Paswan

Union Minister Chirag Paswan expressed his support demand for a nationwide caste census after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the demand which started a debate over the issue.

Chirag Paswan said, "My party has always maintained a clear stance in favour of a caste census. We want the caste census to happen because many times, both state and central governments design schemes that take caste into account. These schemes are prepared with the intent of integrating different castes into the mainstream."

"In such a situation, the government should have accurate information about the population of each caste. At the very least, this data should exist so that funds can be allocated proportionately.

#WATCH | On Caste Census, Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, "My party has always kept its stand clear that it is in favour of Caste Census. We want the Caste Census to happen. The reason for this is that many times the state government and the central government make many such pic.twitter.com/jA3dZY8FdE

ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

Whether it's about implementing schemes or integrating certain castes into the mainstream, the government should have these figures," he added.

Meanwhile, at its national executive meeting, Chirag Paswan was re-elected as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president for five years. The decision was taken unanimously at the meeting, Paswan said. "The national executive, in its meeting has re-elected me for the next five years," he said. Chirag Paswan, the Minister of Food Processing Industries, said the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, Jammu Kashmir and Jharkhand was also discussed in the meeting.

In Jharkhand, the party may contest the polls either with national alliance partner BJP or on its own, he said.

Also, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil the nation's demand for a caste census immediately otherwise he would see the next PM do it.

No power can stop a nationwide caste census, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said on X in Hindi, tagging a post by the Congress on a "mood of the nation poll" by a media group which said 74 per cent people in August said a caste census must be conducted, up from the 59 per cent in February this year.