Politics

Caste Census Long Overdue, Must Begin Without Delay, Declares Congress’s CWC Resolution

The caste census, announced by the Union government on April 30, marks a significant policy shift.

Caste Census Long Overdue, Must Begin Without Delay, Declares Congress’s CWC Resolution

A Congress rally in Haryana. Representative image. Source: FB/Rahul Gandhi

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Friday (May 2) welcomed the Union government’s decision to conduct a caste census alongside the decadal population census, calling it a long-overdue concession to a long-standing demand.

In a strongly worded resolution passed during its urgent meeting, the party described the announcement as a reversal of the Modi government's position after "11 years of stubborn refusal."

The CWC urged the Centre to immediately declare a clear timeline for every phase of the caste census—from questionnaire design to enumeration, classification, and publication of the data.

“This exercise must not be delayed,” the resolution stated, adding that all political parties must be consulted to ensure that the process remains “transparent and inclusive at every step.”

“The government must immediately allocate the necessary funds and announce a clear timeline for every stage of the census, from the preparation of the questionnaire and methodology to the actual enumeration, classification and eventual publication of the data,” the resolution added.

The caste census, announced by the Union government on April 30, marks a significant policy shift. Until recently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had opposed the move, framing it as divisive during its 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. 
Opposition parties, including the Congress, had made caste-based enumeration a central demand in their campaign platforms.

Despite the government's announcement, no timeline has been provided for the commencement of the census, which remains pending since 2021. The CWC pressed for immediate allocation of funds and parliamentary debate on the issue, underscoring the need for urgency and transparency.

“The process must be transparent and inclusive at every step. The data collected should serve as the basis for a wide-ranging review of public policy, especially in the areas of reservations, welfare schemes, educational access and employment opportunities,” the resolution said.

The CWC argued that data generated from a comprehensive caste census would be essential for recalibrating public policy in areas such as reservations, welfare distribution, education, and employment.

“The CWC believes that a caste census, properly designed and implemented, will work to the benefit of all sections of society,” the party affirmed.

The Congress also renewed its demand for removing the 50% ceiling on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), calling the limit outdated and restrictive. Furthermore, the party pressed for the immediate implementation of Article 15(5) of the Constitution, which allows reservations in private educational institutions.

“In an era when private institutions play an increasingly dominant role in higher education, the exclusion of marginalised communities from these spaces only worsens inequality,” the resolution noted. It added that extending affirmative action to these institutions is not just a constitutional necessity, but a social justice imperative.

Addressing the CWC, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the sudden policy shift by the Modi government. Recalling his letter to the Prime Minister dated April 16, 2023, in which he demanded a caste census, Kharge noted that the government had been resolutely opposed to the idea until now.

“How did this change of heart come about? From the Prime Minister to the RSS leadership, all criticised our demand and branded it divisive,” Kharge said.

“Even slogans like ‘batenge toh katenge’ were used to discredit us during the elections.”

However, he added that the party is satisfied the government has finally acknowledged the need for a caste census, “even though it comes late.”

The CWC also expressed deep concern over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, but the focus of the day’s resolution remained the caste census—a move the Congress views as vital to achieving social equity in modern India.

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