Now,Digvijay backs caste census

While the Congress remained evasive on the issue of caste census,party general secretary Digvijay Singh on Thursday sought to widen the scope of the debate....

While the Congress remained evasive on the issue of caste census,party general secretary Digvijay Singh on Thursday sought to widen the scope of the debate,not only batting in its favour but also suggesting a re-look at the whole policy of reservation ranging from accommodation of demands of various caste groups for their inclusion in SC/ST category to the adoption of economic criteria for reservation.

Backing his demands at a book release function here was CPI MP D Raja who favoured caste census during the transitory period until the goal of casteless India is achieved.

Caste is a reality in India accepted by all political parties and the Constitution. Although it is on the wishlist to have a casteless society,you cannot wish away ground realities. I have failed to understand opposition to caste-based census. To provide social justice,caste-based census is the need of the hour. What are you going to lose? It is just an enumeration, said Singh at the book release function organised by the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy National Law School of India University,Bangalore.

His remarks came barely an hour after Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan had parried queries about the stance the party would take in its reply to the Group of Ministers,which has sought opinion of all parties on caste census. Fact is my party at this point of time is waiting for discussions to continue.

The Congress remains sharply divided on the issue. Union Minister Ajay Maken recently wrote to young MPs seeking to mobilise them against caste census.

Digvijay Singh sought to take the debate further. It is high time we went through the whole policy of reservation. All those castes have been representing to the Government of India to be included as SC/ST. It is something to be looked into, he said. He said the Supreme Court had brought up the issue of creamy layer,which is bringing economic criteria only. We have to think whether we have come to a stage where there should be economic criteria for reservation, he said. Replying to a question later as to why the Congress was not taking a stand,he said,Every party knows and understands the reality of caste.

D Raja argued that caste census would help fight the discriminatory caste system. He supported Singhs stance on adoption of economic criteria for reservation saying,Yes,we should strive for it.