Rahul’s persistence forced Centre to announce caste census: Digvijay

Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Digvijay Singh today credited Rahul Gandhi with the decision of the Central Government to conduct a caste census. “Rahul Gandhi has been raising the issue in and outside Parliament for a very long time now. He had declared that he would make the Central Government announce a caste census. He has been consistently speaking up for the deprived sections of society,” he added.

Digvijay is in Shimla as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports. He chaired a meeting with the Education Department this morning.

As for the NDA government finally agreeing to the demand of the Opposition for a caste census, he said, “Better late than never” while welcoming the decision. “For the past five years or so, BJP leaders have been opposing the caste census. Now that the BJP has accepted the demand, we welcome the announcement,” he added.

Asked about the Pahalgam terror attack, the veteran Congress leader said that the incident could not be condemned enough and the perpetrators of the crime should be handed an exemplary punishment. “The whole country is united in fight against terrorism. As far as the Congress is concerned, the party has never compromised with terrorism, which should be dealt with strictly,” he added.

Digvijay said, “The Congress has already made it clear that it will support the government in whatever decision it takes with regard to the Pahalgam terror attack.”