Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 4: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has come down heavily on the Congress party, accusing it of falsely trying to claim credit for the caste census initiative. "I’m surprised they are demanding credit for something they never did," Yadav said, criticising the opposition for its alleged political opportunism.

Highlighting the importance of the caste-based census, Yadav said the move, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, goes beyond caste enumeration. “It includes gender, education, and other social indicators crucial for inclusive governance,” he stated.

Calling the census a “historic and transformative step,” Yadav reiterated that the Congress had never taken meaningful action on this front. “The caste census is a historic initiative led by the Prime Minister himself,” he said, underscoring the NDA government's intent to execute the exercise transparently.

The Central government recently announced that caste enumeration will be part of the upcoming census in a transparent manner, while criticising opposition parties for using caste surveys as a ‘political tool.’

Turning to the newly passed Waqf Act, Yadav pointed out that the Congress failed to implement key recommendations made by the K Rahman Khan Committee, including the digitisation of Waqf property records despite amending the law in 2013.

He noted that the current government has introduced a judicial tribunal to expedite disputes related to Waqf properties. “The Home Minister has clarified that Muslims will continue managing Waqf properties. This new tribunal will ensure timely justice and better community outcomes,” he said.

“As chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, I can affirm that this law was passed after thorough study. Its implementation will bring significant benefits to the Muslim community,” Yadav concluded.