Kharge demands union government to fully embrace caste census for social justice
Kharge Encourages Modi to Set a Defined Schedule for the Implementation of Caste Census
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a letter to PM Narendra Modi, emphasized the essential need for a comprehensive, unified approach to caste census, advocating for its integration into the decennial census as a means to ensure social and economic justice.
Kharge voiced his belief that caste enumeration should not be perceived as divisive, stating in the letter that it is a crucial step towards promoting unity in adversity. He also drew attention to the Indian National Congress' support for this process, which aligns with the values outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution.
Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) approved caste enumeration for the upcoming census, but no further details have been released. In his letter, Kharge urged clarity and transparency in the design of the census questionnaire, proposing that it be modeled after the successful caste survey conducted in Telangana.
Expressing concern over the reporting process, Kharge emphasized the importance of making comprehensive socio-economic data accessible to the public. This information will help measure the progress of each caste and ensure accountable, effective governance. Furthermore, he suggested including reservation acts passed by each state in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, similar to the Tamil Nadu Reservation Act in 1994.
Kharge also proposed the need for new laws to enforce Article 15(5), which allows for OBC reservation in private educational institutions. He concluded by urging a dialogue with all political parties on the caste census issue to foster unity and progress towards a more equal society.
Side Notes
- The inclusion of caste A in the census is not linked directly to Kharge's suggestions, although it is a broader topic of discussion in the political landscape.
- Kharge's suggestions for the removal of the 50% reservation cap and the implementation of Article 15(5) for OBC reservation are not explicitly mentioned in the publicly available reports.
- Mallikarjun Kharge, in his letter to PM Narendra Modi, called for the government to implement a caste census, emphasizing its importance not only for social and economic justice but also for unity in adversity, a key value in India's Constitution, particularly relevant in the midst of general news discussions about caste A.
- During his advocacy for caste enumeration, Kharge highlighted the importance of education, proposing new laws to enforce Article 15(5), which would allow for OBC reservation in private educational institutions, with the objective of fostering unity and progress towards a more equal society.
- In addition to promoting transparent and comprehensive socio-economic data, Kharge suggested including reservation acts passed by each state in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, similar to the Tamil Nadu Reservation Act in 1994, and proposed policy-and-legislation changes to address the lack of caste representation in legislations and cricketing bodies, thereby encouraging a more equitable society in India.
