In a recent development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for taking credit for the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste census in the forthcoming census exercise. This comes after Gandhi’s remarks suggesting that the Congress had influenced the government’s decision to carry out the caste enumeration. However, BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, quickly responded, calling on Gandhi to stop taking credit for a decision that had already been indicated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2024.

In a post on the social media platform X, Malviya pointed out that Amit Shah had already given a hint regarding the caste census announcement on September 18, 2024. Shah’s remarks had suggested that any decisions related to the caste census would be "made public" when the census itself was announced. The BJP leader also reminded the public that the Congress-led UPA government had initiated the Socio-Economic and Caste Census in 2011, including a caste component for the first time since 1931. Despite this, the Congress government had failed to release the caste data, citing inconsistencies and classification issues, according to Malviya.

Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have been vocal in their demand for a caste census, with the issue becoming a significant talking point during elections. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been pressing the government for a nationwide caste census, citing its importance for ensuring social justice and proper representation of backward communities in the country. States like Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka have already conducted their own caste surveys, intensifying calls for a national exercise.

The BJP, however, maintains that the credit for this decision belongs to the Narendra Modi-led government, which has shown a strong commitment to social justice. Amit Shah, welcoming the government's move, praised the decision as a historic step toward empowering backward classes and promoting social equality. He added that the Congress and its allies had long opposed the caste census, both while in power and during their time in opposition.

Shah also emphasized that this move would have lasting positive effects on the economically and socially backward sections of the population, ensuring greater inclusion and opportunities for progress. By reviving the caste census, the government hopes to pave new paths for the advancement of these historically marginalized communities. This decision is expected to have a significant impact in the coming elections, with caste-based data potentially influencing political strategies and policies.

The decision to conduct the caste census comes after several delays, including one due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally set to begin in April 2020, the census was postponed, leaving the issue of caste enumeration in limbo. The BJP’s recent move to include caste data in the upcoming census is seen as a response to the growing pressure from the opposition, which had been pushing for such a measure as a way to ensure accurate representation and address the needs of the underprivileged.

In conclusion, while the BJP has come out strongly against Rahul Gandhi’s claims, it remains to be seen how this issue will evolve in the run-up to the upcoming elections. With the caste census now firmly on the agenda, political parties across India will likely use the data to shape their campaign strategies, potentially altering the dynamics of political representation and policy-making.

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