'We want caste census': Chirag Paswan after opposing lateral entry

Union minister Chirag Paswan was re-elected as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president for five years.

Union minister Chirag Paswan, who was re-elected as  (Ram Vilas) president for five years at its national executive meeting, expressed his support for caste census.

"The national executive, in its meeting here, has re-elected me for the next five years," he said.

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.

"My party has always maintained a clear stance in favour of a caste census. We want caste census to happen because, many times, both state and central governments design schemes keeping caste into account. These schemes are prepared with the intent of integrating different castes into the mainstream," Paswan told media persons in Ranchi. "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. Whether it's about implementing schemes or integrating certain castes into the mainstream, the government should have these figures." he said.

Pitching for a nationwide caste census, he cautioned against making the figures public as it will create a” rift” in society. Paswan said even after so many years of Independence, Dalit grooms are prevented from riding a horse during weddings.  ”I even learnt about an IPS officer seeking security for his marriage. Even today, we hear that members of the Dalit community cannot enter temples… The observation of the Supreme Court did not have any mention of untouchability. The PM has also said that as per constitutional norms, the provisions for SCs would continue,” he told News18.

BJP ally Nitish Kumar's JDU has been constantly demanding caste census across the country.

Earlier this month, a seven-judge bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud ruled in a 6:1 majority judgement that state governments were permitted to sub-classify communities within the SC list based on empirical data.

On the issue of lateral entry into bureaucracy, Paswan said the central government has reaffirmed its “commitment towards SCs, STs and OBCs” by asking the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement for lateral entry “after we raised concerns over it”.

Paswan was  the first leader from within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to speak out against the Centre’s lateral entry scheme.

“My party’s stance on such appointments is absolutely clear. Wherever there are government appointments, the provisions of reservation must be followed. There is no ifs and buts in this,” the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) national president told news agency PTI, two days after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) sought applications for 45 positions, including joint secretary, director and deputy secretary, through lateral entry.