Centre’s Nod to Caste Census Triggers Political Storm: Congress Claims Credit, VBA Calls It a ‘Deceptive Move’

X: @vivekbhavsar

Mumbai: The Union Government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census marks a significant policy shift post-independence. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs approved the inclusion of caste-related data in the forthcoming census, signaling a reversal of a long-standing position.

This move comes amid sustained political demand, especially from opposition parties like the Congress, which has long championed caste-based data collection. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant attributed full credit for the move to party leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress manifesto. “When Rahul Gandhi and the Congress consistently demanded a caste census, BJP leaders—including PM Modi—resorted to ridicule. Today, the BJP government has been forced to accept the Congress party’s stand, vindicating our demand,” Sawant said, demanding an apology from the BJP for past criticisms.

काँग्रेस नेते @RahulGandhi यांनी व काँग्रेस पक्षाने जातिनिहाय जनगणनेची मागणी सातत्याने केली त्यावेळी मोदींसहित भाजपा नेत्यांनी टवाळखोरीची भाषा वापरली. काँग्रेस मंगळसूत्र काढून घेईल. गरीबी पेक्षा कोणती दुसरी जात नाही. महिला, युवा, शेतकरी व गरीब याच जाती आहेत. काँग्रेस एका जातीला… https://t.co/rKJnQmkwXE

— Sachin Sawant सचिन सावंत (@sachin_inc) April 30, 2025

However, the announcement has not gone unchallenged. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Adv. Prakash Ambedkar termed the Centre’s decision a “deceptive” move aimed at misleading the public. Speaking in Pune, Ambedkar questioned the timing and intent behind the announcement, highlighting the lack of clarity on when the census will actually take place. He accused the Centre of doublespeak, noting that in an affidavit before the Supreme Court, they had stated that caste enumeration is not feasible.

#Watch : The country is in anguish over the recent violence. Is the #CasteCensus announcement a calculated distraction?, says #VBA chief Adv Prakash Ambedkar#PehalgamTerroristAttack #PrakashAmbedkar @VBAforIndia @Prksh_Ambedkar pic.twitter.com/KdaiwMx3aw

— TheNews21 (@the_news_21) April 30, 2025

Ambedkar further linked the delay in conducting the census to the upcoming 2026 delimitation exercise, suggesting that the Centre was deliberately postponing the process for political ends. He also raised concerns about whether the caste census announcement was timed to divert public attention from recent violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP-led government’s move to approve caste enumeration appears to be a major political pivot ahead of crucial elections and the impending 2026 delimitation. While the Congress has claimed ideological and moral victory, asserting that its long-standing campaign for caste census has borne fruit, leaders like Prakash Ambedkar remain skeptical of the Centre’s intentions, citing lack of clarity and contradictory legal positions.

The political ramifications are deep. Caste data has the potential to redefine India’s socio-political landscape by revealing the true numerical strength of backward communities, potentially influencing resource allocation, reservations, and electoral strategies. While the Congress and regional parties may see this as a validation of their inclusive platforms, the BJP must now navigate the challenges of implementing such a sensitive exercise while justifying its earlier resistance.

Earlier, states like Bihar and Telangana conducted their own caste surveys. Bihar’s survey revealed that over 80% of its population belongs to backward and marginalised communities, sparking debates on representation and resource allocation. Telangana’s survey found that 56.32% of its population belongs to Backward Castes, leading to proposed reservations. The BJP had previously criticised these state-level surveys, questioning their methodology and intent. 

As the debate unfolds, all eyes will be on the execution—when the census will be held, how data will be collected, and how transparently it will be used. The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census could have far-reaching implications for India’s socio-political fabric.