Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 30: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has welcomed the Central government’s decision to conduct a caste-based census, terming it a “crucial and long-overdue” move toward achieving social justice and equitable development.
Reacting to the announcement made after a Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge said the Congress and the broader INDIA bloc had consistently championed the demand for a caste census, with party leader Rahul Gandhi being one of its most vocal advocates.
“This is a step in the right direction — one we have been demanding from the beginning,” Kharge posted on X, noting that the Congress had raised the issue in Parliament and through formal communications to the Prime Minister.
He recalled that the demand for a caste census had been a key component of the INDIA alliance’s agenda during the Lok Sabha election campaign. “It has always been about ensuring fairness and true representation for every section of society,” he said.
In a pointed critique of the Prime Minister, Kharge said, “PM Modi earlier accused the Opposition of trying to divide society by raising this demand. But the truth is, without a caste census, our efforts toward meaningful social justice remain incomplete.”
Kharge also flagged concerns about the financial seriousness of the government’s proposal, questioning how the census would be executed with only ?1.575 crore allocated for it in the current Union Budget. “It is a valid question — how and when does the government plan to complete it with such a meagre allocation?” he asked.
The Congress chief urged the Centre to immediately allocate appropriate funds and begin preparations with complete transparency and accountability. “Caste census is not just about data collection — it is the foundation for genuine inclusion. Without equitable representation, inclusive development is a mere slogan,” he stated.
The Modi government’s decision comes amid growing political momentum behind the issue and widespread public resonance, especially in the wake of demands from multiple regional and national parties pushing for caste-based data to address systemic inequalities.