Bihar Census: Congress’ Singhvi cautions on ‘population-based rights’

The caste census released by the Bihar government has been welcomed by the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc. Congress leaders, too, have welcomed the same and asserted that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) be given their rights in the system as they are in numbers.

However, eminent lawyer and senior Rajya Sabha member Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi took to X and asserted that “those batting for rights on the basis of population should understand its consequences” as it will “lead to majoritarianism”, a view considered counter to what Rahul Gandhi had said after the release of the caste census data.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the census data will work in favour of the OBCs and that it will boost their presence everywhere. He had also said that out of 90 secretaries in Parliament, there are only 3 who belong to OBC category.

“Jitni jitni aabadi utni uski bhageedari”—these are the lines that are going around, but Singhvi’s tweet about the long-term consequences of majority distributions has raised a fresh controvercy.

Meanwhile, Congress has distanced itself from Singhvi’s view. Party communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh said that Singhvi must have expressed in his personal capacity and “I reiterate that the same was our Udaipur declaration and CWC resolution which reads the same as said by Rahul Gandhi”.

Later, issuing a clarification on his tweet opposing Rahul Gandhi’s view, Singhvi said, “I didn’t take a different stand. We have supported it and will continue to support it. All the court orders that have come in, the decision has to be taken on the basis of facts. How will that happen if there are no facts? So, for facts, it is essential for a caste census to take place.”

This paper has learned that the I.N.D.I.A bloc will continue to support the caste-based census even in coming times and at the same time, more opposition will come in the way from the Opposition-ruled states.

Experts hold the view that the BJP has a strong hindutva line which had benefited it in 2014 and 2019 elections, but bringing the caste census and popularising the OBCs will likely to be a big factor for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls of 2024.