Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s promises on caste census and doing away with the 50 per cent cap on reservation was challenged today by Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s KT Rama Rao, who had brought a number of tribal women to Delhi to highlight their plight.  

“You (Rahul Gandhi) are speaking on Dalits and tribals, but the women of Telangana are seeking for your help but you aren’t there. What use is this lip service?” he said in an exclusive interview to NDTV.

At a press conference earlier, he said, “An hour ago LoP Rahul Gandhi was speaking in Ranchi. We want him to listen to the tribal women of Telangana who have suffered”.

“The women complain that their lands are being taken, and they don’t know where their sons and husbands are… Atrocious violations of human rights has happened. These women have met officials at NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and submitted their plea,” added the Working President of BRS, who has been vocal about Congress “misrule” since the Grand Old Party unseated the BRS in the state election held earlier this year.

The Congress and the BRS have accused each other of complicity in the violence at Lagacharla village, where government officials were attacked when they had gone to discuss land acquisition with the villagers. The Congress said the violence was “KTR’s plan to destabilise the government”, pointing to what they called “fraudulent” acquisitions during the BRS rule.

“You acquired land to make a pharma village. But the people of the land did not want to give it. And now this is the violent attack on them. They are being tortured. Is this democracy?” said Mr Rao, who was a minister in the government led by his father, K Chandrashekar Rao.  

“The CM’s brother — he doesn’t hold any position — openly threatens tribals. But he marches in with goons while the police acted as the private army of the Chief Minister. And there is absolute silence from the national capital and Rahul Gandhi. Women and children being tortured but complete silence,’ Mr Rao, popularly dubbed KTR, added.

Hyderabad:

Caste discrimination in India is “unique” — probably among worst in world — and the Congress will demolish the “artificial barrier” of 50 per cent reservations, the party’s senior leader Rahul Gandhi said today. Mr Gandhi is in Telangana, which is becoming the second Congress-ruled state after Karnataka to undertake a caste census. 

The caste survey will be taken up by the state government from November 6 and it will continue till the end of the month. 

Mr Gandhi, along with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, was attending a meeting organised by the state Congress, where he interacted with social groups, caste associations and state leaders and other stakeholders.

The Congress is resolved to conduct caste survey along with economic mapping to reveal who are the India’s poor and what percentage of population they comprise. This, the party maintains, will help to do away with the 50 per cent cap on reservations. 

In a Hindi post on X earlier this year, Mr Gandhi had said the steps would “X-Ray” the country and provide correct reservations, rights and share to everyone, Mr. Gandhi said.

The previous panel of backwards castes was based on a 1993 law and had mandate only to gather data on education and employment quota. This time, the Telangana census will gather socioeconomic profile of all castes, sources had said.

48,000 teachers are expected to be deployed for the survey, for which primary schools will work only half-day this month.

They will go from house-to-house and conduct survey to collect data. This will encompass social, education, employment, economic, and political data. The government staff will place stickers on doors. There will be 85,000 enumerators.

Hyderabad:

Telangana will become the second Congress-ruled state after Karnataka to undertake caste census – an exercise that would continue from November 6 to November 30. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has also ordered the constitution of a Backwards Castes commission following the orders of the High Court, which wanted the new commission to ensure quota for them in the local bodies’ polls.

On November 5, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will be in Telangana to attend a programme on caste census. Mr Gandhi is expected to meet associations, student organisations and intellectuals to take their views on the matter.

The previous panel of backwards castes was based on a 1993 law and had mandate only to gather data on education and employment quota. This time, the census will gather socioeconomic profile of all castes, sources said.

Sources said 48,000 teachers will be deployed for the survey, for which primary schools will work only half-day this month.

They will go from house-to-house and conduct survey to collect data. This will encompass social, education, employment, economic, and political data. The government staff will place stickers on doors. There will be 85,000 enumerators and observers.

Caste census was one of the key election related promises made by the Congress.

At the time, Mr Reddy, who was leading the Congress campaign, had said in an open letter that only a caste census would ensure justice for the backward classes.

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, amid a torrent of criticism over remarks that have been perceived as anti-reservation, issued a clarification today, saying his party would “take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent”. “Yesterday someone misrepresented my statement that I am against reservation. But let me make it clear – I am not against reservation. We will take reservation beyond the limit of 50 per cent,” he said during an interview at the National Press Club in the US.

The comment that sparked controversy was made during an interaction with the students and the faculty of Georgetown University in Washington DC yesterday.

The Congress will “think of ending reservation when India is a fair place,” he said, and added, India is not a fair place at the moment
“The elephant in the room is that 90 per cent of India — OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis don’t play the game,” Mr Gandhi had said.

“Caste census is a simple exercise to know how the lower castes, backward castes and Dalits are integrated into the system…Out of the top 200 businesses in India, there is almost no ownership of 90 per cent of the population of India. In the highest courts of the country, there is almost no participation of 90 per cent of India. In media, there is zero participation of lower castes, OBCs, Dalits,” he said.

Then, explaining the idea behind the caste census, he said, “We want to understand what their social and financial position looks like…We also want to look at the Indian institutions to have a sense of India’s participation in these institutions.”

But Mr Gandhi’s comments on this and other issues had stirred a hornet’s nest back home, with the BJP accusing him of habitually making anti-national remarks abroad. This, the party said, is a more serious issue now that he is the Leader of the Opposition.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement lays bare the Congress’s politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences,” said Union minister Amit Shah.

“By speaking about abolishing reservations in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the Congress’s anti-reservation face to the forefront. The thoughts that were in his mind eventually found their way out as words,” he added.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement lays bare the Congress’s politics of causing rifts on the lines of regionalism, religion, and linguistic differences. By speaking about abolishing reservations in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the Congress’s anti-reservation face to the forefront. The thoughts that were in his mind eventually found their way out as words,” he added.
 

Thiruvananthapuram:

A caste census – a major election issue and a repeat demand of the opposition, specifically the Congress-led INDIA bloc, and at least one of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s allies – is a “sensitive issue… to be dealt with very seriously and is not for election campaigning”, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP’s ideological mentor, said at its Kerala conference.

Addressing the media Monday afternoon, on the first of a three-day coordination meeting in Palakkad district, the RSS threw down a veiled “we draw the line” warning to opposition leaders and parties aligned against the BJP, declaring “… should not be used as a political tool”.

“… we have already commented… this is a sensitive issue of caste and caste relations and should be dealt with very seriously. This is not just for election campaigning…” the RSS’ chief spokesperson, Sunil Ambekar, said.

“In cases where special attention is needed the government needs the numbers (the number of men, women, and children belonging to a given community). Then there is no problem… but it should be for welfare only. Should not be used as a political tool. We draw the line there,” Mr Ambekar said.

Promises to hold a nationwide caste census have featured in recent election manifestos and speeches of several opposition leaders, including the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party boss Akhilesh Yadav; last week Mr Gandhi emphasised the importance of such an exercise and said it is a necessary tool for effective policy-making and for an equitable society.

READ | Caste Census Needed For 90% Out Of System: Rahul Gandhi

“We cannot make policies for India’s reality without a caste census…” he said, “We want data… how many Dalits, OBCs, tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there?”

Mr Gandhi also went head-to-head with BJP MP Anurag Thakur in Parliament on this topic.

During the session in July Mr Gandhi responded sharply to a jibe from the BJP leader, who said “he whose caste is unknown is talking about a census?” Rahul Gandhi waved aside the comment, inviting the former Union Minister to “insult me as much as you want”.

READ | “I’ll Keep Fighting”: Rahul Gandhi vs Anurag Thakur On Caste Jab

“… but don’t forget that we (the opposition) will get this bill passed…” he vowed.

Focus on a national caste census sharpened in November last year after Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United), then a member of the INDIA bloc – published the result of a statewide survey, which underlined the sharp divide in that state; released shortly before the April-June general election, the results showed over 80 per cent of Bihar’s population are from extremely backward classes.

Speaking after that report was released, the RSS said it welcomed “any affirmative action that is scientific and not conducted for electoral benefits… (but) to address disparity (in a Hindu society)”.

READ | “Welcome Any Scientific Exercise But…”: RSS’ Cautious Note On Caste Census

This was after one of its senior officials – Shridhar Gadge – declared his opposition to a caste census on grounds it may offer political benefit to “some people”, it had no practical use.

Since the Bihar report (and a similar exercise conducted in Andhra Pradesh) the Congress, and Mr Gandhi in particular, have pitched ferociously for a national caste count, arguing it is critical to help refine welfare schemes and identify gaps in equal representation for all at all levels of governance.

In April BJP chief JP Nadda underlined his party’s position on this issue, declaring it is “not against conducting a caste census” but not offering a roadmap for such an exercise. Mr Nadda did, though, attack the opposition over its demand, declaring they “want to divide the country”.

READ | “BJP Not Against Caste Census, Congress Wants It To Divide People”: JP Nadda

“Opposition is in disarray as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the way politics is being done. Earlier it was based on caste, religion, region… and Congress pitted brother against brother,” the top BJP leader, whose party had previously opposed the exercise, said.

Cautious treading on this subject – after the Bihar report Home Minister Amit Shah also said the party had never actually opposed it – has been necessitated also rumbles from within its ruling alliance.

READ | Caste Census In Spotlight With Amit Shah Saying BJP Never Opposed

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party is allied with the BJP, has backed it, as has Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose Nationalist Congress Party is also an ally.

Support for a caste census from within Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU also appears to be gathering steam; this will be key since the JDU and its 12 Lok Sabha MPs is a key ally.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

The Congress on Sunday asserted that a caste census is the only way to ensure equal opportunity for all in the country.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said caste has been a socio-economic reality of Indian society for centuries. “We cannot deny caste-based discrimination in India and the disadvantages imposed by caste at birth,” he said in a post on X.

“To make the distribution of economic growth more equitable, we need a survey of the ownership of assets and the representation of people in the institutions of our democracy,” Jairam Ramesh said.

Therefore, what is needed is a caste census combined with a survey of national assets and governance systems, which is updated from time to time, he asserted in the post on X.

“This survey of caste groups, national assets, and representation in governance systems — collectively called a comprehensive socio-economic caste census — is the only solution to ensure an India with equal opportunity for all,” the Congress leader said using the hashtag “Ginti Karo”.

Why is the Caste Census a necessity?

1. Caste is a socioeconomic reality of Indian society and has been for centuries. We cannot deny caste-based discrimination in India and the disadvantages imposed by caste at birth.

2. ⁠The caste category in the Census was done away with,… https://t.co/Xl13kBTHnd

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 24, 2024

He claimed that the caste category in the Census was done away with, except for those pertaining to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, beginning with the 1951 Census.

“This was considered necessary given the challenges faced by a newly independent country. The last such Census due in 2021 has been repeatedly put off by the Modi Government — so we are currently lacking the latest data even for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” Ramesh said on X.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge explained the reason behind announcing “Hissedari Nyay” (Participatory Justice) as part of its promises to people ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

“India’s richest 1 per cent enjoy 22.6 per cent of national income, more than during the British Raj, while the poorest 50 per cent get only 15 per cent of national income. This has happened only in the last 10 years of the Modi government,” he said.

Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the net worth of billionaires grew by more than 280 per cent between 2014 and 2022, which is 10 times the growth rate of national income during the same period.

On the other hand, about 34 per cent of households in India earn less than the proposed national level minimum wage of Rs 375 per day, he said.

“Therefore, the Congress Party, under ‘Hissedari Nyay’ (Participatory Justice) guarantees a comprehensive social, economic and caste census. Through this, the population, socio-economic condition of all castes and communities, their share in the national wealth and their representation in the institutions related to governance and administration will be surveyed.

“This affirmative action policy will bring revolutionary change in the country. Hand (Congress’ poll symbol) will change the situation,” Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.

Jairam Ramesh, in his post on X, said the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) covering 25 crore households was conducted in 2011 and it collected data on caste and socio-economic parameters relating to these households.

The socio-economic data is used now for welfare programs but the caste data never got published by the Narendra Modi Government, he said.

“Over the past three decades, reservations in education and employment in the government and the public sector have come to cover not only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but also the Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of general castes. But we are currently lacking data on the different groups that are covered under these categories, and their respective populations.” Jairam Ramesh said the government cannot plan for social justice without such data on the population in each of these categories. “That is why a caste census becomes necessary. It is also essential to ensure more equitable distribution of reservation benefits within the reserved categories,” he said.

“Going beyond the population of each caste grouping, the real question we hope to answer is who benefits from fast economic development, and who bears its costs. Our experience shows that the benefits of growth in India are inequitably distributed,” Jairam Ramesh asserted.

The Congress has been seeking a nationwide caste census for some time now to ensure equal opportunities to all as per their population. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Fresh cracks have appeared within the Congress over its flagship caste census demand at a national level with a senior leader claiming the party never endorsed identity politics.

A demand for caste census may be misinterpreted as disrespecting the party’s former leaders and former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Anand Sharma said in a letter to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, which was shared by news agency IANS.

Mr Sharma recalled Mrs Gandhi’s clarion call of 1980, “Na jaat par na paat par, mohar lagegi Haath par“, to point out the historic stand of the Congress on caste. He also pointed out that in 1990, Rajiv Gandhi had opposed making castesim an electoral factor.

“Departure from the historic position is a matter of concern for many Congress men and women across the country. It calls for reflection. In my humble opinion, this will be misconstrued as disrespecting the legacy of Indira ji and Rajiv ji,” said Mr Sharma.

Caste census, one of the major demands of the Congress, has been carried out only in Congress-ruled Karnataka and Bihar, where the party held power in an alliance with the RJD. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised a nationwide caste census if the opposition’s INDIA bloc forms government at the centre.

Mr Sharma, a lifelong Congress member, said while some alliance members of the party have pursued caste-based politics for long, “the Congress policy on social justice is based on a mature and informed understanding of the complexities of Indian society.”

Indore, Madhya Pradesh:

The Congress will not profit politically from its demand for caste census in the country, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said on Sunday.

People know the Congress did not undertake such an exercise when it was in power at the Centre, Mr Athawale added.

“When the Congress was in power at the Centre it never went for caste based census. But now their leaders Rahul Gandhi are seeking it,” the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment told PTI.

The Gandhi siblings have been demanding a Bihar-like caste census across the country claiming it would ensure SCs, STs and OBCs get justice.

“Congress will not profit politically from caste census as people know the party did not undertake this exercise when it was in power,” The RPI(A) chiefsaid.

Article 17 of the Constitution has a provision for eradication of casteism and, therefore, the government would face a problem in carrying out a caste census, he claimed.

Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh will take place on November 17, while results will be declared on December 3. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad:

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has sought to know why the BJP does not get “Backward Classes caste census” conducted if it was so concerned about the community.

The statement comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced at a rally in Suryapet to make a Backward Class (BC) leader as Chief Minister of Telangana if the BJP was voted to power after the November 30 assembly polls in the state.

Addressing a public meeting at Zaheerabad on Friday night Mr Owaisi called BJP and Congress twins and said the two parties will not be successful in the Telangana assembly polls.

“Amit Shah sahab, I am telling you with responsibility. You and Congress have become ‘oule zoule bhai-behan’ (twins). Nothing is going to happen for you people (in favour of) in Telangana. It will be ‘bye, bye’ for you,” he said.

“I would like to ask Amit Shah. If you are so sympathetic towards backward class, why you don’t get BC census conducted,” he said.

Neither PM Narendra Modi nor Congress leader Rahul Gandhi supported his demand for sub quota for OBC and Muslim women in the women’s reservation bill passed in Parliament, Mr Owaisi claimed.

Referring to former MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy, who returned to Congress after quitting BJP this week, he wondered whether Congress has become a “washing machine”. Owaisi, however, did not mention Raj Gopal Reddy’s name.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s comments about AIMIM having a tacit understanding with the BJP, the AIMIM leader asked how did Rahul Gandhi lose in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the 2019 elections.

Congress and BJP were in direct contest in 185 seats in 2019 but former won in only 16 and he (Owaisi) had no role to play there, he said.

“How did you (Congress) lose there?” he asked.

Mr Owaisi reiterated his appeal to support ‘mamu’ (BRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) where AIMIM is not in the fray in the polls.

“Now, it is known from Zaheerabad and Munugode (where Raj Gopal Reddy lost bypoll on BJP ticket last year) that both BJP and Congress are ‘oule, zoule bhai (twins),” he said.

He also spoke about a book given to him titled ‘Congress is mother of RSS’.

Mr Owaisi stressed that people will be given importance wherever regional parties are in power.

“If they both (national parties BJP and Congress) come to power, then there will not be anyone to address your problems,” he said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Congress Working Committee has unanimously endorsed a call for caste census at a meeting held today. Sources said the initiative was of Rahul Gandhi  who in an address to the party later, said the INDIA bloc will “put pressure on the BJP to conduct this”.

The Prime Minister, Mr Gandhi said, is “shying away” but the conduction of a caste census does not depend on him.

“This is not a political decision. This is a decision for providing justice to the downtrodden… Litmus tests work in chemistry, not in politics. We are promising caste census because we sincerely believe in it,” he added.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party has consistently raised its demand for a nationwide caste-based census. The demand has gained widespread public support especially after the Bihar government’s release of a caste survey.

“For proper implementation and delivery of government programmes and welfare schemes, it is important that we have scientific socio-economic data of the marginalised sections including their numbers, representation, and economic and social condition. Thus, it becomes important that we must deliberate upon the issue of Caste-based Census,” he said.