New Delhi [India]: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday hailed the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste census as a “victory for crores of people of India,” crediting Rahul Gandhi’s consistent advocacy on the issue.
भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस ने लगातार जातिगत जनगणना की माँग उठाई थी, जिसके सबसे मुखर पक्षधर श्री @RahulGandhi रहे। आज मोदी सरकार ने Census के साथ जातिगत जनगणना कराने की घोषणा की है। ये सही कदम है जिसकी हम पहले दिन से माँग कर रहे थे।
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 30, 2025
मैंने कई बार इसे संसद में उठाया और प्रधानमंत्री…
“When our leader Shri Rahul Gandhi ji said, ‘Caste census is the X-ray of society,’ the people in the ruling party ridiculed him, ignored him, and procrastinated,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi.
He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi had long demanded a caste census, raising the issue repeatedly in Parliament, public meetings, and party forums.
“But for how long could the voice of the rights of crores of people be suppressed? Now the Modi government has agreed to conduct the caste census. Well, better late than never!” Ramesh added.
Calling it a “decisive step toward social justice,” Ramesh said the move is a victory for those who have long fought for equality, parity, and representation in Indian society.
The reaction from the Congress party came shortly after Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) had decided to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census.
Speaking to the media, Vaishnaw said:
“Caste was not included in any census since independence. In 2010, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said in the Lok Sabha that the issue would be considered. A Group of Ministers (GoM) was formed, and most political parties supported a caste census. Still, the Congress-led government opted only for a caste survey, now known as SECC.”
Vaishnaw also pushed back against Congress’s position, stating:
“Congress governments have always opposed a caste census. Today’s decision shows the Modi government’s commitment to the interests of society and social equality.”
He said that caste enumeration will help strengthen the socio-economic fabric of the country and further inclusive development.