Government's Plan for a Caste Census, According to Yogi Adityanath, Advocated for 1.4 Billion Citizens' Benefit
New Delhi's Shock Decision: Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, lauded the Centre's resolve to include caste-based data in the approaching national census, declaring it a groundbreaking move for 140 crore citizens. In a statement on a popular social media platform, Adityanath highlighted that this apprach will aid in acknowledging and ensuring fair participation of disadvantaged, backward, and neglected classes in government schemes.
Speaking earlier in the day, Union Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that this will empower marginalized sections, ultimately contributing to their self-sufficiency. According to Vaishnaw, this move showcases the government's steadfast commitment to society and the nation, much like how they implemented a 10% reservation for economically weak sections without stirring up strife within the populace.
Vaishnaw addressed concerns regarding selective caste enumerations held by certain states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Bihar, possibly alluding to questionable practices conducted under the guise of surveys for political gains.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was praised for his foresight in endorsing the caste census during a Union Cabinet meeting earlier this day, as mentioned in a post by Vaishnaw.
Meanwhile, opposition parties expressed their satisfaction as they viewed this breakthrough as the culmination of their longstanding demand. They promptly called for expedited implementation of this census. Targeted actions from the ruling BJP at the Centre, including increased reservations, were raised in these discussions.
Historically, the collection of caste data beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has not been part of the national census since 1931. Previous attempts to gather caste data, such as the socio-economic caste census in 2011, did not entail a comprehensive enumeration of castes. The move toward capturing caste data will have profound implications for social and economic policies, as it promises to offer a clearer picture of social structures and enable the implementation of targeted development programs. The goal is to ensure transparency and standardization in data collection, thus preventing politicization and offering reliable information for policy-making.
- Yogi Adityanath approves of the policy-and-legislation move to include caste-based data in the upcoming national census, asserting it will promote fair participation of disadvantaged, backward, and neglected classes in government schemes.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that this approach will empower marginalized sections, ultimately contributing to their self-sufficiency, like the 10% reservation for economically weak sections implemented without causing unrest among the populace.
- Certain states, like Karnataka, Telangana, and Bihar, have expressed concerns about selective caste enumerations, alleging potentially questionable practices conducted under the pretense of surveys for political gains.
- A post by Vaishnaw lauded the foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for endorsing the caste census, which opposition parties view as the fulfillment of their long-standing demand and prompt them to call for its expedited implementation, while also raising discussions about targeted actions from the ruling BJP, such as increased reservations.
