NEW DELHI, Apr 30: The Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on the Centre, alleging that the government has made little progress on implementing the promised caste census even a year after announcing the nationwide exercise.
Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh said the Union government has failed to provide a clear framework for conducting the enumeration, raising doubts over its seriousness about the process.
Congress Recalls Government’s Earlier Opposition
Ramesh pointed out that the Centre had previously opposed the idea of counting caste populations during the national census process. Referring to parliamentary records, he said the government had informed the Lok Sabha in July 2021 that it had decided against collecting caste wise population data as a matter of policy.
He also cited the affidavit filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court in September 2021, where the government reportedly argued that judicial intervention directing caste enumeration would amount to interference in policy matters.
According to the Congress leader, the Centre’s current position marks a sharp reversal from its earlier stand.
Kharge’s Demand Highlighted
The Congress also recalled that party president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023, urging the government to conduct an updated caste census as part of the regular national census exercise.
Ramesh claimed that the demand was repeatedly raised by the opposition long before the Centre finally announced its decision in April 2025 to include caste enumeration in the upcoming Census.
Congress Questions PM’s Earlier Remarks
The opposition party also referred to Modi’s remarks during a television interview in April 2024, in which he had criticised the Congress demand for a caste census and linked it to what he described as “urban naxal” thinking.
Ramesh said the Prime Minister should clarify why the government later adopted the same proposal it had criticised earlier.
“The country deserves transparency on why the government changed its position and why there is still no roadmap for implementation,” he said.
Lack of Consultation Raises Concerns
The Congress alleged that the Centre has neither initiated discussions with opposition parties nor consulted state governments and subject experts regarding the methodology of the caste census.
Ramesh further said that a follow-up letter sent by Kharge to the Prime Minister in May 2025 seeking clarity on several issues related to the exercise did not receive any response from the government.
According to the Congress, the absence of administrative details even after a year indicates that the Centre may be attempting to postpone the exercise.
Political Debate Intensifies
The issue of caste enumeration has emerged as a major political flashpoint ahead of upcoming electoral battles, with opposition parties arguing that updated caste data is essential for social justice policies and welfare planning.
The BJP led government, however, has yet to announce a timeline or operational blueprint for carrying out the nationwide caste census, keeping the political debate alive over the delay in caste census implementation.