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'Better late than never', 'Congress's victory': Opposition leaders react to Centre's caste census decision

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
30th April, 2025 19:23 IST
NEW DELHI: In a landmark move, the government confirmed that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming national census , a decision that has sparked a range of reactions from leaders across political parties.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the government is committed to conducting a "transparent" census, which will now include caste data as part of its comprehensive exercise.

The government’s announcement also comes after several states conducted caste surveys, with opposition leaders claiming the surveys were politically motivated.

Vaishnaw, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, pointed out that while the Centre holds the responsibility for the census, some states had already undertaken caste enumeration under the guise of surveys. The minister added, “It is the Modi government’s resolve to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming pan-India census in a transparent manner, unlike the political caste surveys conducted by opposition-ruled states.”

Here’s how political leaders reacted to the landmark decision:

'Caste census is welcome': Nitish Kumar
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed his approval of the central government’s decision.

“The decision of the Central Government to conduct a caste census is welcome... Conducting a caste census will reveal the number of people of different classes, which will help in making plans for their upliftment and development,” said Nitish Kumar in a post on X.


'Better late than never': Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has been vocal on the issue, expressed his support for the decision, stating, “Better late than never,” in reaction to the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming census.

'My PM has fulfilled our demand': Chirag Paswan
Union minister Chirag Paswan called the decision a 'huge and historical decision.'

"It's a huge and historical decision, and for this, I, on behalf of my party Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas), thank my PM. Today, my PM has fulfilled our demand that was pending for a long time. People often used to say that LJP and BJP are on two different paths," said Paswan, addressing reporters.


'Congress opposed the caste-based census for decades': Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X: "Committed to social justice, the Modi government has taken a historic decision today."

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in today’s CCPA meeting, the decision to include a caste-based census in the upcoming census was made, sending a strong message of commitment to social equality and the rights of every section of society."

"The Congress and its allied parties, while in power for decades, opposed the caste-based census and, while in opposition, politicised the issue. This decision will empower all economically and socially disadvantaged sections, promote inclusion, and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived."


'No issue with any such census or survey': Prashant Kishor
"We have no issue with any such census or survey that gives a better understanding of society, but we have seen it in Bihar that merely caste surveys will not improve the situation in the country, but only if the government works based on the findings that come out of surveys," said Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on inclusion of caste census in national census.

'Congress's victory': Udit Raj

"I welcome this decision. This is Congress's victory. Ultimately, the Modi government is having to conduct a caste census," said Congress leader Udit Raj.


'This is what our leader, Rahul Gandhi, dreamed about': Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said that party leader Rahul Gandhi noticed the need for caste census during his Bharat Jodo Yatra

"This initiative comes from the state of Telangana, which has done a caste census recently. Rahul Gandhi, who conducted the Bharat Jodo Yatra, noticed the need for a caste census. We are thankful to Narendra Modi ji and the Cabinet ministers for accepting this. This is what our leader, Rahul Gandhi, dreamed about. We are happy to see his dream being fulfilled," Reddy said.


'Bihar elections motive behind this': Vijay Wadettiwar

"We welcome this decision as it was our longstanding demand. Bihar elections should be the only motive behind this," said Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar


'Actual fight for the caste census was fought by Lalu ji': Tejashwi Yadav
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hopes the caste census is done before the delimitation exercise.

"We hope the census will be done before delimitation exercise...It is a slap on the faces of those who used to blame us for spreading casteism. Until we don't get scientific data, we won't be able to bring the backward classes into the mainstream....Naturally, the people from the BJP will go about taking credit for it. But Modi ji had rejected it many times. The actual fight for the caste census was fought by Lalu ji," said Tejashwi Yadav.

'Collective interest of 140 crore fellow countrymen': Yogi Adityanath
The Uttar Pradesh CM took to X and said: "The decision by the CCPA, under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, to include a caste census in the forthcoming census is unprecedented and highly commendable, in the collective interest of 140 crore fellow countrymen."

"This is a decisive step towards ensuring proper recognition and adequate participation in government schemes for the deprived, backward, and neglected sections."

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