From ‘urban naxals’ to caste census: Congress questions Modi govt’s U-turn

The Congress party on Thursday welcomed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s announcement to conduct a caste census, terming it a “U-turn”. However, the party questioned the timing of the announcement, saying it came after 11 years of silence on the issue.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, “Exactly a year ago, the PM had termed people talking about caste census as ‘urban naxals’. When has the PM and Home Minister become naxals?” Ramesh added that the government should announce a deadline for the survey and make adequate budgetary allocations.

Ramesh showcased a copy of the Constitution, saying it is the responsibility of the Central Government to conduct the caste census. “A new chapter was opened yesterday, suddenly announcing that we want a caste census. The PM created a headline when the whole country is mourning the Pahalgam incident,” he said.

The Congress leader questioned the budgetary allocation for the survey, saying, “The government has announced Rs 575 crore, whereas in 2019, it was kept at Rs 8,254 crore for the national census. Which census is going to be conducted with this budget?”

Ramesh demanded the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservation, citing the recent caste census in Bihar, which found 65 per cent of the population falling under the reservation category. “Caste census is an X-ray, and cap removal is a treatment,” he said, adding that Article 15(5) should be implemented to guarantee reservation to backward classes in private educational institutions.