Congress raises big question on caste census Why not the OBC column?
The Congress has been demanding that the existing scheme be changed to include OBCs as a clear category like SCs and STs. The party argues that if caste names are openly written by people, then different surnames and local identities can create a huge discrepancy in the data and it will be difficult to bring out the real caste picture.-
New Delhi: The Congress has once again posed a big question to the central government regarding the caste census. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has demanded that a separate column for OBC be added in the caste census to be conducted at the national level and the method of survey adopted in Bihar and Telangana be implemented at the national level.
According to Jairam Ramesh, a nationwide caste census should be conducted on October 2, 2023 in Bihar and February 2025 in Telangana, taking lessons from the model of caste survey. He said there is still time to improve the existing system as the census process has just started in some areas.
The Congress has been demanding that the existing scheme be changed to include OBCs as a clear category like SCs and STs. The party argues that if caste names are openly written by people, then different surnames and local identities can create a huge discrepancy in the data and it will be difficult to bring out the real caste picture.
Jairam Ramesh also said that a final decision on the issue should be taken by convening an all-party meeting and expert opinion should also be taken if needed. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this matter.
Now the big question is whether the government will change the existing system of caste census to include separate columns and clear options for OBCs. The opposition is calling it a necessary step for social justice and reservation policies. At the same time, there is no clear response from the central government on the allegations made in this regard so far.
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