After Congress letter to PM Modi, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reiterates demand for caste census

“All parties in Bihar had the same view when we decided to have a caste-based census and it is currently being conducted in the state,” he added. “I have also taken part in this. It is highly beneficial,” Kumar said.

Earlier today, Kharge demanded that the decennial census be conducted immediately, with a comprehensive socio-economic caste census as its integral part.

“In the absence of an updated Caste Census, I am afraid a reliable database so very essential for meaningful social justice and empowerment programmes, particularly for OBCs, is incomplete,” Kharge said in his letter.

Kharge also said that along with Congress, MPs from other parties have also demanded the census on various occasions in both Houses of the Parliament.

On Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, at a public rally in Karnataka’s Kolar, asked the BJP government to release the caste-based data from the census conducted by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He also made a forceful push for the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

“That census has the data of every caste in India. Modiji you talk about OBCs, then make that data public. Let it be known how many OBCs, Dalits, and tribals are there in the country. If everyone is to be involved in the country’s progress and be made equal partners, then we should know ‘kaun kitne hai (how many are there)’. So Modiji, release the caste census data and let the people of the country know how many OBCs, Dalits, and tribals are there in the country. If you don’t do it, it will be an insult to the OBCs. You spoke about OBCs, show the country what the population of the OBCs is,” Gandhi said.

In February this year, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati had also raised demands for the caste census. Speaking during the UP Assembly Budget session, Yadav said, “UP ki janta jatiya janganana chahti hai. Jatiya janganana ho, tabhi haq samman mil payega, warna Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar ke sapne adhure rahenge (The people of Uttar Pradesh want a caste census. If it is held, then only people would get their rights and honour, and dreams of Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar could be fulfilled).”

Mayawati said that her party was a strong supporter of a nation-wide caste census and the central government should come forward to initiate the exercise.

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