In a significant development that has raised eyebrows in political circles, a senior Congress leader has formally demanded a written clarification from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India regarding the apparent omission of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in the questionnaire for Phase 1 of Census 2027.
Formal Letter to Registrar General
The Congress leader addressed a detailed letter to Registrar General and Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, expressing serious concerns about the exclusion of OBCs from the initial phase of the national census exercise. The letter specifically highlights that the OBC category was found missing in the questionnaire designed for the Houselisting and House Census operation, which constitutes the first phase of Census 2027.
Immediate Clarification Demanded
The communication demands an immediate and comprehensive clarification on this omission, questioning whether this represents an administrative oversight or a deliberate exclusion that could impact the accuracy of demographic data collection. The Congress leader emphasized that proper categorization is crucial for implementing welfare schemes and policies targeted at backward communities.
This development comes at a time when accurate caste-based data has become increasingly important for policy formulation and resource allocation across various sectors. The absence of OBC categorization in the initial census phase could potentially lead to incomplete data collection, affecting numerous government programs designed for backward class upliftment.
Political Implications
The issue has quickly gained political traction, with opposition parties likely to scrutinize the government's approach to caste enumeration. The Congress leader's demand for written clarification underscores the party's focus on ensuring proper representation and data accuracy for marginalized communities in official census operations.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are now on the Registrar General's office for their response to this formal inquiry. The outcome could have significant implications for how caste data is collected and utilized in the upcoming national census exercise.
