Hold dialogue with all political parties on caste census: Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi

Kharge wrote the letter to Modi days after the Centre made a surprise announcement of including caste census in the upcoming population census.

In the letter, Kharge said, "The Indian National Congress believes that conducting the caste census in the comprehensive manner suggested above is absolutely necessary to ensure social and economic justice and equality of status and opportunity as pledged in the Preamble of our Constitution.

"I trust my suggestions will receive your serious consideration. In fact, I would request you to have a dialogue with all political parties soon on the issue of the caste census."

Cautioning the Prime Minister against the caste census serving as a tool of division among people, Kharge wrote, "Conducting any exercise such as the caste census which gives the backward, the oppressed and the marginalized sections of our society, their rights cannot and should not be considered divisive in any way.

"Our great nation and our large-hearted people have always come together as one whenever needed, just as we have done after the recent cowardly terrorist attacks in Pahalgam."

Days ago, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi welcomed the central government's decision to introduce caste census in the next year's population census but demanded a clear timeline for implementation.

Addressing a press conference, Rahul said, "We've been advocating for a caste census for some time. The Modi government had previously opposed it, citing reasons we're unclear about. Now, they've suddenly decided to move forward. We wholeheartedly welcome this decision but demand a clear implementation timeline."

Further demanding the removal of 50 percent cap on quota, the opposition leader said, "Telangana serves as a model state for caste census. Having successfully conducted a comprehensive caste census in Telangana, we suggest the national census incorporate some of its effective approaches.

"We've discussed two other key issues. Firstly, the 50% cap on reservations, which is increasingly becoming an impediment to development, progress and the advancement of backward castes, Dalits, and Adivasis. We advocate for eliminating this barrier. Having successfully pressured the government to conduct a caste census, we'll continue to push for removing the 50 percent cap."

"Additionally, we demand the implementation of Article 15(5), which pertains to reservations in private educational institutions—a law that already exists. We urge the government to implement it promptly."

In a surprise move amid the India-Pakistan border tension, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the caste census, which has been a long-standing demand of the Congress, in the upcoming population census, months ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly elections.

"This demonstrates that the present government is committed to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society," the Indian government said in a statement.

As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, Census is a union subject listed at 69 in the Union List in the Seventh Schedule.

While some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes, these surveys have varied in transparency and intent, with some conducted purely from a political angle, creating doubts in society.

"Considering all these circumstances, and to ensure that our social fabric does not come under political pressure, it has been decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey," the statement said.

The India government said the move will ensure that society becomes stronger economically and socially, and the country’s progress continues without hindrance.

"It is noteworthy that when a provision of 10 percent reservation was made for the economically weaker sections of society, it did not create tension in any section of society," the statement said.

Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since independence.