Cong seeks caste census, BJP says ‘even Nehru was against it’

Chavda, who initiated discussion on the motion to request the state government to conduct caste-based census, said, “Every citizen has a contribution in whatever fund is deposited in government treasury… When policy is formulated, laws are framed and Budget is made, special care should be taken for the deprived groups. But somewhere, such situation has been created that certain class and region are being developed and the rest are being discriminated against and it is clearly visible in a number of budgets of the state government.”

He said that while Other Backward Class (OBC) communities form 52 per cent of Gujarat’s total population, the department of OBC is not allocated even 1 per cent fund in the Budget.

Chavda added that as per constitutional provisions, census is being held for SC and ST communities, studies are being conducted on their socio-economic condition and therefore, an estimation can be made while framing schemes and allocating budget for their development.

“Whereas no studies are being done on OBC, EWS or others. The state government does not have figures on their socio-economic condition… because their socio-economic survey has not been done. If these details are with us… then I believe we will be able to do justice to all classes,” he said.

“Just by giving a slogan, all cannot be made partners in development. For that, specific policies have to be fixed. Specific laws have to be made. To do that, you will need data,” Chavda told the government.

The motion moved by Chavda read, “To remove economic, educational and social inequality among caste groups, it is necessary to identity the social inequality among them… Without caste-based census, equitable distribution of resources is not possible.” He added that the state government has the power to conduct a caste census under Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.

Chavda’s motion was opposed by BJP members, who maintained that caste census could lead to “caste struggle”.

Rushikesh Patel maintained that Congress was moving such a motion to set a “false narrative” as an attempt to “gain power”. “In its 54 years in power, Congress never thought of caste census… Now, they have realised that they do not have any toolkit… Therefore, they are out in the country with (demand of) caste census… They are making desperate attempts.”

“Since they are not in power, they have got a new slogan to regain it. Till recently, they were talking about (threat to change) Constitution… It is in Congress’ gene to set a false narrative,” he added.

“Even Jawaharlal Nehru rejected this idea (caste census) saying it will further divide the country,” Patel said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing development work for all, with the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ in mind.