“Used to Divide Society by Caste”: Congress Shares PM Modi’s Old Remarks After Census U-Turn

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New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed the caste census as a key tool for empowering the marginalised, the Congress mounted a sharp counterattack by posting old video clips showing the PM earlier criticising similar demands from the opposition.

The Congress, in a bid to expose what it called the Prime Minister’s “dramatic shift” in stance, shared two clips of Modi — one from October 2, 2023, and another from April 28, 2024 — where he had strongly denounced the idea of caste-based enumeration, accusing opposition parties of “dividing society” for votes.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, posting the clips on X (formerly Twitter), wrote: “On April 30, 2025, in the period between the Pahalgam terror attack and the launch of Operation Sindoor, the Modi government unexpectedly and suddenly announced a caste census. Yesterday, the PM expectedly took full credit for it in the NDA CMs meeting.”

Ramesh further added, “Just listen to what the PM had said — 1. On October 2, 2023, when the findings of the Bihar caste survey were released. 2. On April 28, 2024, when asked about the INC’s demands for a caste census.”

In one of the clips, PM Modi can be heard saying, “They (opposition) used to divide the society on the basis of caste and continue to commit that sin even now.”

However, at the NDA Chief Ministers’ and Deputy Chief Ministers’ conclave held on Sunday, the Prime Minister took a distinctly different tone, asserting that caste enumeration is a step toward inclusive development.
“Our government does not indulge in caste politics. We focus on empowering those who have remained on the margins of development. Caste enumeration will help us identify and uplift those who are still waiting to be part of India’s growth story,” Modi said at the conclave.

The NDA passed two resolutions at the event — one hailing the valour of the Indian armed forces and PM Modi’s leadership during the recent military operation, and the other praising the decision to conduct a caste-based census during the upcoming national enumeration.

The reversal in the government’s stance has reignited a political war of words, with the Congress accusing the BJP of adopting the caste census only after sensing its growing resonance with the electorate. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also chimed in, stating, “When we demanded a caste census, they mocked us. Now they are taking credit for the same demand. The truth is, the BJP does not believe in social justice unless forced by political pressure.”

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