India's Election Season Sparks: Congress and RJD Claim Victory Over Caste Census Announcement
Opposition Celebrates Alleged Triumph over Central Government's Proposed Caste Population Count
New Delhi: Amidst the roaring political scene, the Congress party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have triumphantly proclaimed themselves as the driving forces behind the government's decision to include caste figures in the upcoming Census. With elections looming in Bihar, the announcement has sparked a wave of debate and accusations, with both parties and their allies leveraging the issue for political gains.
"What we socialists were advocating for thirty years ago, like reservation, caste census, equality, fraternity, secularism, and more, others are only now following," declared RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav. "On demanding a caste census, those who ridiculed us as 'casteists' have received a fitting response. There is still much work to be done. We will make these Sanghis dance to our tune," he added with a hint of defiance.
The Congress echoed similar sentiments, with Tejashwi Yadav, a senior party leader, asserting, "This is a significant win for us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially opposed a caste census, but now the government is working in accordance with our agenda."
In support of the decision, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar stated, "We, in the Congress party, wholeheartedly welcome the Central government's decision. This has been a significant demand of our party for a long time. It was a vision that our leader, Rahul Gandhi, had championed."
Adding his voice to the chorus, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hailed the move as a "complete victory" for backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. In a social media post, he wrote, "Thanks to the collective pressure from all of us, the BJP government has been compelled to adopt this decision. This is an essential phase in the victory of the backward, Dalit, and minority communities in their fight for social justice."
Tracing the origins of the caste census demand, the Congress took up the cause ahead of the Lok Sabha election. However, it was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has been vocal about it since, even promising a nationwide caste census and an increase in the reservation cap if his party comes to power. In February, Mr. Gandhi made this pledge during a program in Patna, the capital of Bihar, where the demand for a caste census has been a prominent aspect of the opposition's campaign.
This proactive stand has led to the BJP accusing the opposition of exploiting caste as a political tool. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw alluded to the matter when he announced the government's move after a cabinet meeting.
"It is no secret that the Congress and its INDI alliance partners have approached the caste census solely as a political tool," Mr. Vaishnaw alleged, citing the UPA government's decision to conduct a caste survey instead of a census despite obtaining cabinet approval in 2010.
However, the timing of the announcement, coming just months before Bihar's elections, suggests that the move serves to weaken the opposition's primary campaign issue [4]. The decision, it appears, is a carefully calculated strategy by the ruling party to address the long-standing demand for caste-based enumeration, and potentially rally upper caste voter support with its counter-narrative.
In the end, the vote-driving claims and counter-claims serve to underline the ongoing power struggle, the politicization of caste, and the electoral calculations being made in the lead-up to crucial state elections.
Insights:
- Congress and RJD have advocated for caste-based enumeration for social justice and political mobilization.
- The parties are using the caste census as a core agenda item to address inequalities and secure OBC and marginalized communities’ representation.
- The timing of the announcement, coinciding with upcoming elections, blunts the opposition’s key campaign issue in Bihar.
- The ruling party is strategically addressing the long-standing demand for caste-based enumeration while countering opposition accusations.
- The decision serves as a reflection of the ongoing power struggle and politicization of caste in Indian politics.
- The Congress party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have celebrated their role in pushing the government to include caste figures in the upcoming Census, with RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav declaring, "What we socialists were advocating for thirty years ago, like reservation, caste census, equality, fraternity, secularism, and more, others are only now following."
- The Congress party and its allies, including the RJD, are using the inclusion of caste census in their political agenda to address inequalities and secure representation for OBC and marginalized communities, as evidenced by Tejashwi Yadav's statement, "This is a significant win for us."
- The timing of the announcement, coinciding with Bihar's elections, suggests a strategic move by the ruling party to counter the opposition's key campaign issue, as indicated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's allegation that the Congress and its allies have approached the caste census solely as a political tool.
- The caste census policy-and-legislation decision, met with welcomes from parties like the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, reflects a significant milestone in the ongoing power struggle and politicization of caste in Indian politics, as well as the parties' efforts to influence general news and public opinion on social justice issues.
