Union Government Greenlights National Caste Census, Marking a Divisive Policy Shift
Inclusion of Caste in Upcoming National Population Count: Government Decision
In a significant announcement, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census. Since the last census in 2011, India has yet to conduct a nationwide census.
The caste census is aimed at empowering the economically weaker sections of society. This policy shift marks a departure from the past, as caste data has not been collected in the census since 1931.
Vaishnaw stressed that the caste census falls under the Union government's jurisdiction, with parallel surveys conducted by individual states leading to confusion and discrepancies.
Reacting to the Opposition's criticisms, Vaishnaw claimed that Congress governments have consistently opposed the caste census. He pointed out that the late Dr Manmohan Singh, in 2010, recommended considering the matter in the Cabinet. Despite the support of most political parties, the Congress government only conducted a survey of castes, not a full-fledged census, creating doubts in society.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai lauded the Cabinet's decision, stating that it reflects the Modi government's commitment to inclusive development. He cited the smooth implementation of the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections as evidence of social harmony.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav recalled the United Front government, during his tenure as Janata Dal president, had approved a caste census in 1996-97, a move later scrapped by the Vajpayee-led NDA. Highlighting efforts with leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Yadav, Yadav pushed for caste census during the 2011 census, leading to a socio-economic survey under Manmohan Singh. He attributed the first caste survey in Bihar to the Mahagathbandhan's short tenure.
Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy welcomed the inclusion of caste census in the national count, giving credit to Telangana's initiative and Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra for raising awareness about the need. Reddy thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Cabinet, calling it the realization of Rahul Gandhi's vision for social justice.
Historically, caste enumeration in India dates back to the British colonial era, where colonial administrators gathered caste data through ethnographic research and census operations by the mid-1800s. The last nationwide caste enumeration occurred during British rule in 1931. After independence, India's censuses omitted caste data until recent demands resurged. The Socio-Economic Caste Census conducted alongside the 2011 Census, despite facing delays and backlash, marked a significant attempt to address caste-based inequalities. The upcoming census is expected to provide critical data to address the needs of marginalized communities across the country.
- The Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the upcoming national census will include caste enumeration, marking a departure from the past since caste data has not been collected in the census since 1931.
- The caste census is aimed at empowering the economically weaker sections of society, and it is significant because India has yet to conduct a nationwide census since the last one in 2011.
- Caste discrepancies have been highlighted as a result of parallel surveys conducted by individual states, leading to confusion, which Vaishnaw stressed falls under the Union government's jurisdiction.
- Despite questioning from the Opposition, Vaishnaw claimed that Congress governments have consistently opposed the caste census, but the late Dr Manmohan Singh, in 2010, had recommended considering the matter in the Cabinet.
- The Modi government's commitment to inclusive development is reflected in the Cabinet's decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census, as stated by Union Minister Nityanand Rai, while RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav recalled earlier attempts to initiate caste censuses in the past.
