The central government has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census, a move welcomed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi though he claimed it resulted from opposition pressure. Speaking to reporters, Gandhi outlined his party’s next demands – removing the 50% reservation limit and implementing quotas in private educational institutions.
“This caste census represents a new development paradigm,” Gandhi stated, acknowledging the Centre’s decision while asserting it was originally Congress’s vision. He offered assistance in designing the census process, noting existing state-level surveys in Bihar and Telangana provided different models.
The Congress leader immediately pushed for further reforms, declaring, “The 50% reservation cap hinders progress for Backward Castes, Dalits and Adivasis. We will pressure the government to eliminate this barrier.” His third demand focused on implementing Article 15.5, which provides for reservations in private educational institutions.
The announcement follows years of political debate over caste data collection. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while announcing the decision earlier, had accused Congress of historically opposing caste census despite recent advocacy. He referenced former PM Manmohan Singh’s 2010 consideration of the issue that didn’t materialize into policy.
Political analysts observe this development significantly impacts India’s social justice landscape. The caste census data could reshape affirmative action policies, while the reservation cap debate touches upon a Supreme Court ruling that has stood for decades. Gandhi’s emphasis on private sector quotas indicates expanding the reservation framework beyond government sectors.
As preparations begin for the 2025 census, these competing visions for social justice will likely dominate political discourse, especially in states with substantial OBC populations. The government maintains the census will be conducted transparently, while opposition parties vow to monitor its implementation closely.
The coming months may see intensified debates on reservation policies as both ruling and opposition parties position themselves on this historically sensitive issue ahead of crucial state elections. The actual census methodology and how it addresses India’s complex caste hierarchies remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: This report is based on political statements and government announcements. Policy implementation may vary from stated positions.
Source: NDTV
