Congress Accuses Modi of Undermining India’s Caste Census Initiative

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters that his party has organized 17 press conferences across India in the past four days, urging the government to conduct the caste census "in the right manner". The Hindu reported that Ramesh added the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears intent on ensuring the entire process fails, a charge that underscores the growing political friction over the demographic exercise.

The Modi administration announced plans for a caste-based census in 2023, framing it as a necessary update to data that has not been collected since the 1931 national survey. Officials argue that fresh caste figures will help fine‑tune reservation policies and welfare programmes, especially in states where social composition has shifted dramatically over the past decades. Yet the government has yet to release a concrete timetable, and critics say delays signal a lack of commitment.

Congress contends that the BJP’s hesitation is politically motivated. Ramesh suggested that a comprehensive caste count could expose demographic trends unfavorable to the ruling party ahead of the 2024 general elections. While the government maintains that methodological challenges and funding constraints are the primary hurdles, opposition leaders argue that the timing and opacity point to an intentional sabotage.

A caste census has long been a contentious issue in India. The last systematic collection of caste data was carried out under British rule in 1931, and subsequent censuses have avoided the category due to its sensitivity. Data on caste is crucial for allocating seats in education and public sector jobs, a system known as reservations. Over the years, demands for updated figures have resurfaced whenever political parties seek to recalibrate these quotas, making the census a recurring flashpoint in Indian politics.

The standoff is likely to spill over into the courts and parliament. Legal petitions filed by several states seek a clear mandate for the census, while lawmakers from both the BJP and opposition are expected to debate the issue in the upcoming session of the Lok Sabha. How the dispute resolves could shape policy decisions and electoral calculations for years to come.