Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 4: The Congress party is making the issue of caste census a central focus of its ongoing "Samvidhan Bachao (Save the Constitution)" rallies across India, instructing its leaders to actively promote this demand.

These nationwide rallies, which began on April 25th, will now serve as a platform to disseminate the resolutions concerning the caste census that were recently adopted by the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

The party has issued a directive to its state unit chiefs, legislative leaders, general secretaries, secretaries, and all affiliated organizations, outlining the strategy for this intensified campaign.

According to the party's General Secretary, K.C. Venugopal, the Modi government's recent agreement to conduct a caste-wise census is a result of sustained pressure from the Indian National Congress, which had previously faced ridicule and delays on this issue.

He highlighted that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had formally written to the Prime Minister advocating for an updated and comprehensive caste census, and that Rahul Gandhi has consistently emphasized its importance for achieving social justice.

The CWC recently held extensive discussions on the caste census, leading to a resolution that demands the immediate implementation of Article 15(5) of the Constitution to enable reservations for OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in private educational institutions. The resolution also calls for the prompt and transparent conduct of a caste census, free from any delays, with parliamentary debate and full budgetary support. It emphasizes a participatory approach in all stages of the census process, from questionnaire design to data publication, and the use of updated caste data to strengthen policies related to reservation, education, employment, and welfare.

To galvanize support at the grassroots level, the Congress party has instructed its state leaders to prominently raise the demand for a caste census in the upcoming Samvidhan Bachao Rallies across all states and districts. They are specifically asked to advocate for the immediate implementation of Article 15(5). The party is also establishing state-level control rooms under the Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) to oversee the implementation of this campaign and appointing dedicated observers at the district level to coordinate activities and reporting.

Party leaders are tasked with undertaking various activities during the Assembly-level Samvidhan Bachao rallies and house-to-house campaigns scheduled until May 30th. These activities include organizing Chaupal meetings with the active involvement of social activists, civil society members, teachers, lawyers, shopkeepers, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, and Bahujan communities. The aim is to disseminate information about the Congress Party’s historical and ongoing commitments, including Rahul Gandhi’s leadership role, and to expose the BJP’s alleged opposition to caste enumeration and its "anti-Bahujan ideology." The party also intends to mobilize broad public support for the caste census and the full implementation of Article 15(5).

Furthermore, the party has directed its leaders to hold state-wise press conferences in each Assembly constituency and to conduct regular media briefings at the Assembly level, coordinated with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Communication Department. All PCCs are instructed to work closely with the AICC Social Media Department to ensure that party workers, youth leaders, and elected representatives actively use all platforms to amplify the Congress Party’s demand for a caste census, highlight Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and the CWC resolution, and expose the BJP’s record on caste issues.

K.C. Venugopal has instructed party leaders to treat this campaign with utmost priority and to submit weekly reports detailing the progress on each action point.

This concerted effort by the Congress party comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government recently approved the conduct of a caste census as part of the upcoming national enumeration.