Congress-ruled states to conduct caste census, says Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the Congress-ruled states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh will hold caste census in their respective states.

“We are happy to announce that our chief ministers have also decided to move forward with the caste census in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Himachal,” he said while addressing a presser in New Delhi following a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

The decision follows the recently released findings of the caste survey by the Bihar government, which showed EBCs and OBCs accouting for 63 per cent of population in the state.

In the meeting, CWC “unanimously” decided to push for a nationwide caste census. The decision, he said, was supported by most constituents of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance. “Most INDIA parties support idea of caste census; if someone has different opinion, we are flexible, not fascist,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the Congress-ruled states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh will hold caste census in their respective states.

“We are happy to announce that our chief ministers have also decided to move forward with the caste census in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Himachal,” he said while addressing a presser in New Delhi following a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

The decision follows the recently released findings of the caste survey by the Bihar government, which showed EBCs and OBCs accouting for 63 per cent of population in the state.

In the meeting, CWC “unanimously” decided to push for a nationwide caste census. The decision, he said, was supported by most constituents of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance. “Most INDIA parties support idea of caste census; if someone has different opinion, we are flexible, not fascist,” he said.

The Wayanad MP said that a pan-India caste census is necessary, arguing that it gives an “X-Ray” of the people that will help to form a new paradigm in the development of the country.

“It’s a very progressive, powerful step for emancipation of poor people,” Gandhi said while addressing the press conference. “Today, two Indias are being created – one for the Adanis and the other for everyone. The caste census will clearly show the kind of people and the number of people in India,” he added.

Taking a step further in this direction, Gandhi also suggested carrying out economic surveys to better evaluate the situation of India’s Dalits, OBCs, and poor, for whom this initiative is being taken. “This is not a matter of caste or religion, it is a matter of poverty,” he added.

According to Gandhi, the additional economical survey will help better determine India’s wealth and assets. He said, “We will know how many people are there and who owns the wealth and assets of the country.”

According to Gandhi, the additional economical survey will help better determine India’s wealth and assets. He said, “We will know how many people are there and who owns the wealth and assets of the country.”