Congress demands immediate nationwide caste census, release of 2011 survey

New Delhi: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday unanimously appealed to the Central government to conduct a caste census across the country, similar to the survey done by the Bihar government recently. They have also demanded that the Centre release the census data from 2011.

The data for the nationwide caste census is with the Government of India and if the Bharatiya Janata Party does not release it, the Congress party will release it when we come to power, the party leaders declared.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “We have unanimously agreed that the caste census must be done. It is important to know the socio-economic position of various communities. The yet-to-be-released data of the 2011 socio-economic and caste census is with the government of India and must be made public.”

“The case census is important to ensure social justice. We are not doing politics, we want justice. The data is important as it will guide to frame policies, strengthen the foundations of social justice and ensure inclusive development,” explained Gandhi.

Bihar census

The caste census of Bihar shows the urgent need to take effective steps to ensure social justice. The disparity in representation with respect to the corresponding share in the population, revealed in the final numbers of the survey, highlighted the need for effective steps for the proper distribution of resources and opportunities.

Rahul criticises Modi’s objections

After the Bihar caste census was released, prime minister Narendra Modi objected to a nationwide caste survey claiming that it would divide India and affect the southern states.

“How can caste census affect the southern states? There is no connection. These are just steps to divert attention, and there will be many more as time goes by,” said Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi, during his visit to Hyderabad on October 3, had objected to the caste census during his public speech.

The Indian National Congress in its meeting decided that if they came to power at the Centre they would:

- Conduct a nationwide caste census of the normal decadal census which is due from 2021.

- Implement 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies at the earliest, including representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

- Remove the 50 per cent cap through legislation for reservation of OBCs, SCs and STs in line with the commensurate share of the population

CWC condemns attack on media

The Congress Working Committee strongly condemned the dozens of raids on journalists and writers by the Modi-led government, which also invoked anti-terror laws to penalise the journalists.

“The conspiracy theories against the journalists showed the hypocrisy of the government,” stated the Congress party leaders. The Chinese funds can also be found in the PM Cares fund and investments, alleged the Congress party.

‘Government failed to help Manipur’

It’s been more than five months and there is a complete constitutional collapse and continuing human tragedy in Manipur, expressed the CWC. The incidents of violence have increased due to the numerous instances of vigilantism and threats by armed mobs in the state.

The CWC stated that the Union government has completely failed in its duty to maintain public order and bridge the divisions between the communities. The CWC reiterated its previous demand for the immediate removal of the chief minister and imposition of President’s Rule as the first step in resolving the unprecedented crisis in Manipur.