A political war has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over who should receive credit for the caste census decision made by the Modi government. The controversy intensified when a poster appeared outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi, crediting Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for pressuring the government into conducting a caste enumeration in the upcoming national census.

Congress Claims Victory for Caste Census Push

The Congress party has been consistently advocating for a nationwide caste census as a means to promote affirmative action policies for marginalized communities in India. Congress leaders claim that their persistent push, led by Rahul Gandhi, was the main reason behind the Centre’s decision to include caste data in the 2025 Census.

The poster that appeared outside the Congress headquarters featured a prominent photograph of Rahul Gandhi, with a message claiming that he had been the driving force behind the decision. The poster reads, “We said Modi ji would have to get a caste Census done. We will get it done. The world bows down, you need someone to make it bow down.” This message is seen as a bold claim by the Congress to take full credit for the move.

The party’s official narrative stresses that the caste census will pave the way for stronger affirmative action policies to help disadvantaged communities, ensuring that social justice policies are backed by accurate data about caste representation across Indian institutions.

BJP Counterclaims and Historical Context

The BJP, on the other hand, has rejected Congress’s credit claims, arguing that Congress governments historically opposed caste-based enumeration and that the current government is simply taking a step forward on the issue. In a direct counter to Congress’s assertions, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that including caste enumeration in the national census would preserve social harmony and reinforce the country’s social framework. He also highlighted that conducting the census as part of the national process would be more transparent than implementing separate surveys.

The BJP’s counter-arguments extend beyond the present issue, focusing on historical stances by Congress leadership. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took to social media to refute Congress’s claims, alleging that Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was against caste-based reservation, and that the Congress-led Indira Gandhi government never took serious action on the issue.

Pradhan further asserted that it was the Janata Party government in 1977 that formed the Mandal Commission to focus on social justice by recommending reservations for backward classes. The BJP claims that its leadership, especially Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, supported the Mandal Commission initiative while they were with the Jana Sangh. However, according to the BJP, it was a subsequent Congress government that delayed the implementation of the Mandal Commission’s report.

Rahul Gandhi’s Continued Advocacy

Amid these political clashes, Rahul Gandhi continued to take credit for the caste census move, repeating his stance on X (formerly Twitter) after the cabinet announcement. He wrote, “We said Modi ji would have to get a caste Census done. We will get it done. This is our vision, and we will ensure the government conducts a transparent and effective caste Census.” Gandhi expressed his gratitude to those who had been pushing for this cause, acknowledging their persistence in the face of political resistance.

Gandhi’s statement reflects his belief that the caste census will be a transformational tool for ensuring that India’s political and social institutions are reflective of the caste-based distribution of resources and power. His emphasis on transparency underscores his push for policies that are more inclusive and equitable.

The Mandal Commission and the Historical Debate

The debate over caste census and reservation policies in India dates back several decades. The Mandal Commission, set up in 1977, was tasked with assessing the need for reservations in government jobs for backward classes. The commission’s recommendations, including 27% reservations for OBCs, were initially delayed but were later implemented during the VP Singh government in 1990.

While Congress did implement some recommendations from the Mandal Commission, the party has long been criticized for its approach to caste-based politics and reservation. The BJP’s narrative, which often points to Congress’s historical resistance to caste-based enumeration, presents the current caste census decision as a step forward by the BJP government, albeit in a contentious political environment.

Conclusion: A Political Standoff

The caste census debate between BJP and Congress is far from over. Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy for a nationwide caste enumeration and the Congress party’s attempt to take credit for the move has triggered a sharp response from the BJP, which has highlighted the historical context and Congress’s previous opposition to such initiatives.

As the 2025 Census draws closer, India’s political landscape will likely continue to see heated debates about the importance of caste data in shaping policies for social justice and affirmative action. For now, the Congress’s poster campaign and the BJP’s historical jibes indicate that this political battle is only beginning.

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