Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an updated caste census. In his letter, Kharge stated that in the absence of an updated caste census, a reliable data base, which is critical for meaningful social justice and empowerment programmes, is insufficient, particularly for OBCs.
“I am writing to you to reiterate the Indian National Congress’s demand for an up-to-date Caste Census. My colleagues and I have raised this demand previously in both Houses of Parliament, as have leaders of many other Opposition parties “In his letter, the Congress chief stated.
“You are aware that the UPA Government conducted a Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) for the first time in 2011-12, covering approximately 25 crore households. However, despite the fact that Congress and other MPs demanded its release after your government took power in May 2014, the caste data could not be published for a variety of reasons “he stated.”In the absence of an updated Caste Census, I am afraid that a reliable data base, which is critical for meaningful social justice and empowerment programmes, is insufficient, particularly for OBCs. The Union Government is in charge of the Census “Kharge stated. In the letter dated April 16, he also stated that the regular decennial census was supposed to take place in 2021, but it has yet to take place.
“We demand that it be completed immediately and that a comprehensive Caste Census be included,” Kharge said. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared Kharge’s letter to the Prime Minister on Twitter “Utna haq, jitni aabadi! Congress President @kharge -ji has written to PM demanding that the decennial census, which was supposed to take place in 2021, be completed immediately and that a Caste Census be included. This will strengthen social justice and empowerment “. Addressing a rally in Katnataka’s Kolar on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Modi to make the 2011 caste-based census data public and demanded that the 50% reservation cap be lifted. “In 2011, the UPA conducted a caste-based census. It contains information on all castes. You mention OBCs, Mr. Prime Minister. Make that information available to the public. Tell the nation how many OBCs, Dalits, and tribals there are in the country “Gandhi made the remarks during the Congress’ ‘Jai Bharat’ election rally in Kolar ahead of the May 10 Karnataka elections.
