The Congress party has raised concerns regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the delayed Census, emphasizing that a comprehensive caste count is essential for achieving true social, economic, and political justice in India. In a recent statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh spotlighted Sri Lanka’s announcement to commence its long-overdue Population and Housing Census on October 7, 2024, highlighting the stark contrast with India’s situation.
Ramesh questioned, “What about India? The decennial Census was due in 2021, yet there are no indications of it taking place.” He further noted that over 10 crore Indians are currently missing out on benefits from the National Food Security Act, 2013, and the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, as the outdated 2011 Census data is still being referenced.
The demand for integrating caste-related questions into the Census remains a priority for Congress and various other political factions. Ramesh pointed out that detailed enumerations of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have consistently occurred every decade since 1951, advocating for a similar process for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other caste groups.
“Only a comprehensive caste census can facilitate genuine social, economic, and political justice in education and employment,” Ramesh asserted. He further questioned, “Why is the Prime Minister postponing the Census, which is expected to include caste counting?”
Published – October 07, 2024 10:34 am IST
