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Key Points

The Congress Party has launched a sharp criticism against the BJP's stance on caste census, arguing that the ruling party systematically blocks social justice initiatives. Senior leader Randeep Surjewala highlighted the party's long-standing commitment to understanding societal demographics through comprehensive enumeration. He cited historical RSS statements and legal precedents to underscore the BJP's alleged resistance to caste-based population counting. The Congress maintains that accurate caste data is crucial for equitable policy-making and representation of marginalized communities.

Key Points: Congress Slams Modi's BJP Over Caste Census Opposition

  • Congress claims BJP obstructing social justice through census resistance
  • Rahul Gandhi fighting for caste census for 11 years
  • UPA initiated Social, Economic, and Caste Census in 2011
  • Modi government accused of burying crucial population data
2 min read

Caste census is not in BJP's DNA: Congress

Randeep Surjewala alleges BJP deliberately blocking social justice by opposing comprehensive caste-based population enumeration

"Caste census is not in the DNA of the BJP - Randeep Singh Surjewala"

Patna, May 5

Congress on Monday slammed the BJP government in the Centre over the caste census, saying that a survey based on caste is not in the DNA of the BJP.

"Caste census is not in the DNA of the BJP. The Modi government has obstructed efforts to count the population of deprived sections for several years and even opposed it in the Supreme Court," said senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.

He alleged that the BJP has deliberately stalling the caste-based census and denying social justice to Dalits, backward castes, and marginalised communities.

Surjewala cited historical opposition to caste-based enumeration by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP.

"On May 23 and June 6, 2010, RSS leader Bhaiyaji Joshi made it clear that the RSS is against counting castes in the census. These statements were published in the RSS mouthpiece Organiser," he added.

Calling the caste census a centripetal force of social justice, Surjewala emphasised the Congress party's longstanding commitment to the issue.

"Congress's commitment to social justice and caste census are two sides of the same coin," he said, adding that Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has made caste census his life's mission and has been fighting for it for the last 11 years.

Surjewala recalled that the UPA government under Congress initiated a Social, Economic, and Caste Census (SECC) in 2011. The final report was submitted to the Modi government on July 3, 2015.

"Instead of acting on it, the Modi government deliberately dumped the report, burying the data essential for implementing caste-based policies," he alleged.

Surjewala also cited a legal example, pointing out that the Maharashtra government had filed a petition in the Supreme Court (CWP 841/2021) demanding caste data to back OBC reservations in panchayats.

"Shockingly, the Modi government filed an affidavit opposing it on September 21, 2021, stating that asking about caste would derail the entire census process," he said.

He concluded by stressing the significance of the caste census as a key demand for equitable policy-making and representation, stating that the poor and marginalised are demanding their share based on population and rights.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Why is Congress suddenly so interested in caste census? They had 10 years under UPA to complete it but only started the process in 2011. Now blaming BJP is just politics. We need development, not more division! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
Accurate caste data is important for policy making. How can we address inequalities without knowing the exact numbers? BJP should stop opposing this - sabka saath should include sabka data too! 👍
A
Amit S.
Both parties are playing vote bank politics. Congress didn't complete the census when they had chance, BJP is blocking it now. Meanwhile, common people suffer without proper representation and benefits.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from a small village, I've seen how caste data helps in proper distribution of schemes. The 2011 SECC helped identify real beneficiaries. Why is BJP scared of transparency? 🤔
V
Vikram J.
Instead of focusing on caste, we should move towards a casteless society. Constant emphasis on caste only perpetuates divisions. Let's talk about merit and economic status instead.
N
Neha T.
The way Congress is presenting this issue makes it seem like only they care about social justice. But BJP has implemented many welfare schemes too. This isn't black and white - both sides need to work together for real solutions.

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