New Delhi: A day after the central government announced the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming Census, a political battle has erupted over who deserves credit for the decision. A poster outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi, featuring Rahul Gandhi, asserts that the party’s persistent demands forced the Narendra Modi government to act.
The poster, put up by Congress leader Srinivas BV, quotes Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, saying, “We said Modi ji would have to get a caste Census done. We will get it done. The world bows down, you need someone to make it bow down.” The Congress maintains that its sustained pressure compelled the government to include caste enumeration, arguing it will facilitate better affirmative action for backward communities.
However, the ruling BJP has countered these claims, accusing the Congress of historical opposition to caste census and political opportunism. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while announcing the cabinet’s decision, emphasized the need for a transparent caste enumeration within the Census to strengthen the nation’s social and economic fabric.
Gandhi, in a post on X, reiterated the Congress’s role, stating, “This is our vision and we would ensure that the government gets a transparent and effective caste Census done.” He congratulated those who advocated for it.
In response, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of “falsely claiming credit,” highlighting the party’s historical stance on the issue. He cited Jawaharlal Nehru’s opposition to caste-based reservation and accused subsequent Congress governments of delaying the Mandal Commission’s implementation. Pradhan credited the Janata Party and BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani for their support of social justice initiatives. The political sparring underscores the significant implications of the caste census in India’s socio-political landscape.
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