Caste Census LIVE: Govt gave headline but where is deadline, questions Congress
Jairam Ramesh said many questions arise about the decision, especially on the intention of the government, and asked "where is the deadline" for conducting the census
The Congress on Thursday (May 1) claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "master of giving a headline without a deadline" and called the government's caste census decision a "diversionary tactic" in the face of demands for taking strong action against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said many questions arise about the decision, especially on the intention of the government, and asked "where is the deadline" for conducting the census.
Taking a swipe at the prime minister while addressing the media at the party's 24, Akbar Road office in Delhi, Ramesh said he is the "master at giving a headline without a deadline". He also said the BJP government agreeing to a caste census reflected their "moral and political defeat".
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also urged for the allocation of sufficient funds and the fixing of a time limit for the caste enumeration in the next census, which has been announced by the Central government. He said, “They should also give a time limit. If there is no time limit, it will take a long time.”
First time since independence
In a surprising yet significant move, the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday (April 30) announced that caste enumeration will be part of the next population census, with the inclusion of caste details for the first time since independence.The decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs(CCPA) at its meeting in Delhi, presided over by Prime Minister Modi, comes ahead of assembly elections in Bihar, where caste is a key political issue and several parties, including some BJP allies have been coming out in support of the caste census.
While the Centre’s decision was hailed by the BJP and its allies as a “historic” step to help design “truly equitable and focused” policies, Opposition parties called it a victory for their long-standing demand and claimed that the BJP has been compelled to bow to the will of the majority.
The Congress and other opposition parties have been vociferously demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue, and some states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka have conducted such surveys.
Read The Federal’s stories on Caste Census
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Live Updates
- 1 May 2025 11:29 AM IST
#WATCH | Delhi | On Centre's decision to conduct caste census, CPI MP D Raja says, "... The Communist Party of India, the left parties, the Congress party, and other secular democratic parties have been demanding the caste census... But the BJP was not agreeing to it to this… pic.twitter.com/AAXwRfdZ9z
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025 - 1 May 2025 11:29 AM IST
#WATCH | Kolkata | On Centre's caste census decision, BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari says, " I welcome it. After getting details on this, we will say more on it." pic.twitter.com/t6PGPSpBi5
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025 - 1 May 2025 11:12 AM IST
'Modi has washed away sins of Congress govt'
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | "... From Nehru to Manmohan Singh, the Congress government has committed many sins towards the poor and social equality. PM Narendra Modi has washed away these sins by approving the caste census... Be it Manmohan Singh's government or Rajiv Gandhi's… pic.twitter.com/30RW8mJIyU
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025 - 1 May 2025 11:09 AM IST
Caste census to deflect attention from Pahalgam attack: AAP MP Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said the caste enumeration in the forthcoming census was announced by the government to deflect attention from the Pahalgam terror attack.
Singh told reporters at the residence of AAP national spokesperson Sarvesh Mishra in Panditpura village on Wednesday (April 30) that the Aam Aadmi Party supports the caste census but the BJP government will forget about it after the Bihar elections.
Questioning the government's intent behind the caste census decision, the AAP leader compared it to the Women's Reservation Bill, saying "nothing has been done to implement it".
"Similarly, you've announced the caste census, but there is no budget allocation, no timeline. Once the Bihar elections are over, you will forget about it," Singh said.
"The entire nation was waiting to see how the government would act to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and eliminate terrorists. Instead, 26 unarmed and innocent tourists were killed. Terrorists challenged us on our own soil, and the government is trying to distract people by bringing up the caste census issue," he said.
Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, said the country should know how many people belong to which caste so that benefits of government schemes can be allocated accordingly.
"But raising this issue at such a time is nothing but a diversion tactic. The public is being kept from questioning the government's inaction," the AAP leader said.
Singh said the terror attack in Pahalgam was an intelligence and security failure of the Modi government.
- 1 May 2025 11:08 AM IST
Caste census decision exposes difference between true intentions and empty sloganeering: Pradhan
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday asserted the government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the next census has exposed the difference between "true intentions and empty sloganeering".
Addressing a press conference at the BJP Headquarters, Pradhan termed the move as a "gamechanger decision" which has been welcomed by a majority of opposition parties.
"The gamechanger decision has exposed the difference between our true intentions and empty sloganeering by the Opposition, although it has been welcomed by most opposition parties," he said.
- 1 May 2025 11:05 AM IST
Rahul welcomes govt's 'sudden' caste census decision, wants timeline for its implementation
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he welcomes the government's "sudden" decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census after "11 years of opposing it" but asserted that the Centre should give a timeline for its implementation.
Crediting the sustained campaign run by the Congress for the government's announcement on the caste census, Rahul said his immediate suspicion is that this could go the women's bill way in terms of implementation and demanded a specific date for it.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it is clear that the pressure the Congress put on the government for the caste census has worked.
Asserting that having "successfully pressured" the government to conduct a caste census, Rahul said the Congress will break the "barrier" of 50 per cent cap on reservations and demand the implementation of Article 15(5), which pertains to reservations in private educational institutions.
"We urge the government to implement it (Article 15(5) promptly," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha added.
Rahul said the Congress is absolutely convinced that the caste census is the first step of a completely new development paradigm in the country, and we are going to push this paradigm one way or the other.
- 1 May 2025 11:05 AM IST
UP CM Adityanath welcomes Centre's caste census decision
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday welcomed the central government's decision to include caste-based data in the upcoming national census, calling it a historic move taken in the collective interest of 140 crore citizens.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described the move as a "decisive initiative" to ensure proper recognition and participation of marginalised, backward, and neglected communities in government schemes. Sharing his views on his official social media handles, the chief minister said, "The decision by the Central Cabinet Committee on Public Affairs (CCPA) under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include caste-based data in the upcoming census is unprecedented and commendable. It is a historic step towards turning the ideals of social justice and data-driven governance into reality." He added that this step will not only aid in the better implementation of government schemes, but also ensure inclusion of every section of society into the mainstream of development.
In a major decision, the government on Wednesday decided to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census exercise in a "transparent" manner.
- 1 May 2025 11:04 AM IST
Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar welcomes caste census decision
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said he welcomed the Union government's announcement of caste enumeration in the next census.
Pawar, who is also the district guardian minister, was speaking at the official Maharashtra Day event here.
"Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to conduct a caste census in the country. It is a welcome decision, and it will help all communities receive due justice. Several individuals, parties and organisations have been demanding a caste census for decades. The demand has been fulfilled by the Centre's visionary leadership," said the Nationalist Congress Party chief.
He also noted that this Maharashtra Day is special for the state as the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), a first-of-its-kind event, is being inaugurated by the prime minister in Mumbai.
