On Monday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) publicly supported the idea of a caste census but cautioned that the exercise should be approached with seriousness and not used for political gains. Sunil Ambekar, the chief spokesperson of RSS, emphasized that caste issues are sensitive and crucial for national unity. He stated that data on caste is important for targeted welfare programs and that it should not be exploited for electoral purposes.
Congress Pushes For Caste Census And Reservation Reform
The Congress party, which has been vocal about the need for a caste census, had promised to conduct one in its Lok Sabha election manifesto. They have also pledged to raise the reservation cap for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has argued that a significant portion of India’s population is not included in the current system and has called for a nationwide caste census to address this issue.
Surveys Reveal Strong Public Backing for Caste Census
Recent surveys show broad public support for a caste census. A ‘Mood of the Nation’ survey by CVoter for India Today found that 74% of respondents are in favor of a caste census, up from 59% earlier this year. Rahul Gandhi has used these figures to press the government to act, warning that failure to do so might lead to the next prime minister implementing it.
RSS Suggests Census Should Be Used To Improve Welfare
The RSS’s stance on the caste census comes amid political speculation regarding its relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The RSS, while affirming its support for a caste census, stressed that it should be used to improve welfare and not for political leverage. They also reiterated their commitment to engaging in discussions about caste issues with a sense of caution and consensus.
SC Declines Entertaining PILs Demanding Caste Census
The Supreme Court, on the other hand, has recently declined to entertain a public interest litigation demanding a caste-based census. The court viewed it as a policy matter rather than an issue for judicial intervention, as noted by Justice Hrishikesh Roy.
Caste Census Debate Persists Amid Regional And Legal Hurdles
Despite these developments, the debate over conducting a caste census continues to be contentious. Some regional governments, like Bihar and Maharashtra, have attempted to carry out their own caste surveys, but these efforts have faced legal and political challenges. In Bihar, a high court upheld the decision to conduct a caste survey, but this was contested in the Supreme Court. Similarly, efforts to release data from the 2011 socio-economic and caste census have been delayed. Moreover, the RSS’s endorsement of a caste census reflects its broader aim to address social inequalities while warning against using such measures for political gains. As the discussion progresses, the focus remains on ensuring that any census is conducted with the primary goal of improving the welfare of marginalized communities.
#SupremeCourt dismisses a PIL calling for social and caste based census
Roy J: What is this? This is in the domain of the governance. What can we do?
Advocate (for petitioner): 94 countries have done it. India yet to do. Indra Sawhney Judgment says that this has to be done… pic.twitter.com/6cOT7xnFdq
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) September 2, 2024