Congress accuses Modi of delaying caste census

The Indian National Congress on Thursday alleged that Narendra Modi intends to delay the proposed caste census, noting that a year has passed since the government’s announcement without clarity on its implementation.

Party general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it has been exactly one year since the Centre declared that caste enumeration would be included in the upcoming national Census, but details on how the exercise will be conducted are still awaited.

Ramesh also pointed to earlier statements by the government, citing a July 21, 2021 reply in the Lok Sabha by the Union Home Minister indicating that caste-wise population enumeration was not part of official policy at the time.

He described the shift in stance as a “dramatic U-turn” and questioned the delay in rolling out the exercise.

The remarks add to the ongoing political debate over caste enumeration, with opposition parties pressing for clarity and timelines from the government on the issue.