On May 1, 2025, the Congress party launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to include caste enumeration in the upcoming 2025 census. Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, accused Modi of being "the master of giving a headline without a deadline," criticizing the government for not providing a clear timeline for the implementation of the caste census. This came after the government declared that caste enumeration would be included in the census for the first time since India's independence, a move that had been long demanded by opposition parties, including the Congress.

Ramesh raised several concerns regarding the government's decision, particularly questioning its sincerity and intent. He pointed out the lack of details surrounding the caste census and demanded that the government provide a clear roadmap for its execution. He also mentioned the government's allocation of only Rs 575 crore for the census in the 2025-26 Budget, which he argued was insufficient to conduct such an extensive and vital exercise. “What kind of census are they planning with Rs 575 crore? What is their true intention?” Ramesh asked, emphasizing that the public needed clarity on how the government planned to carry out the census effectively.

Furthermore, Ramesh took a shot at the government's delay in conducting the census, noting that it had already been five years since the original 2021 census was supposed to take place, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He highlighted that more than 50 countries had managed to carry out their census during the pandemic, suggesting that the delay in India was more about political motivations than logistical issues. “Why was the caste census not conducted in 2023 or 2024, when the pandemic had subsided?” Ramesh questioned, calling on the government to expedite the process.

Ramesh also reiterated the Congress's long-standing demand for the removal of the 50% cap on reservations, asserting that a caste census would only be meaningful if this constitutional barrier was lifted. “The caste census should be conducted as soon as possible, but it should also coincide with the removal of the 50% reservation cap,” Ramesh argued, further calling for a Constitutional Amendment to ensure that all backward classes receive adequate representation.

This criticism from Congress came in response to the announcement made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs had decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. Vaishnaw explained that while some states had already carried out caste surveys, the Centre aimed to ensure transparency in its census exercise and eliminate doubts surrounding such surveys.

In the wake of the announcement, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also welcomed the government's decision but echoed Ramesh’s concerns, emphasizing the need for a clear timeline. Gandhi expressed his suspicion that, like the women's reservation bill, the caste census might face delays in its implementation. He claimed that the pressure from the Congress party had played a significant role in the government’s decision to move forward with the caste enumeration.

The caste census has been a major issue for opposition parties, including Congress, which has used it as a significant election plank. Several states, including Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka, have already conducted caste surveys, adding to the growing calls for a nationwide exercise. While the Centre has now agreed to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, the lack of details regarding its execution and the limited budget allocation have raised doubts about the seriousness of the government’s commitment.

As the debate over the caste census intensifies, it remains to be seen how the government responds to these concerns and whether it can deliver a clear and actionable plan for the implementation of the caste enumeration in the 2025 census. With opposition parties pressing for swift action, the caste census could become a key issue in the upcoming general elections.

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