Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh Accuses Modi Government of Delaying Caste Census
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday launched a sharp critique against the Modi government, alleging that it is attempting to put the caste-based census "in cold storage". He highlighted what he described as significant inconsistencies in the government's position over the years, raising concerns about transparency and policy stability.
Shifting Stances on Caste Census Outlined
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Ramesh outlined a timeline of the Centre's evolving stance. He noted that on July 20, 2021, the government informed the Lok Sabha of its policy decision not to enumerate caste-wise population beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Census. This was followed by an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on September 21, 2021, reiterating the same position.
Ramesh further pointed to remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024, where Modi allegedly accused the Congress of having an "urban naxal mindset" for demanding a caste census. However, in a notable shift, the government announced on April 30, 2025, shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack, that a caste census would indeed be conducted as part of the upcoming exercise.
Allegations of Delay and Hidden Agendas
The Congress leader also raised concerns about delays in the census process. He cited a March 30, 2025, press conference by the Registrar-General and Census Commissioner, who stated that most results from the ongoing Census 2027 would only be available in that year due to the digital format. Ramesh questioned this timeline, noting that states like Telangana and Bihar had successfully completed caste surveys within six months, suggesting inefficiency or intentional stalling.
Additionally, Ramesh accused the government of attempting to amend Article 334-A and linked this issue to the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. He alleged, "The Prime Minister, as always, is misleading the country and is engaged in spreading confusion on a large scale. Now they want to amend that provision, which Parliament had passed unanimously in September 2023. The hidden agenda is straightforward: there is to be no caste census at all."
Political Implications and Broader Context
This controversy underscores ongoing debates about social justice and data transparency in India. The caste census is a sensitive issue with significant implications for resource allocation and political representation. Ramesh's allegations reflect broader tensions between the ruling party and opposition over governance and policy consistency.
As the discussion unfolds, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, with calls for clarity and timely action from the government to address these concerns and ensure equitable processes.
