Caste census in India: A debate erupted on the caste census in India on Monday, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar calling the exercise a “sensitive issue”. Following this, the Congress was quick to oppose the X, stating that “the RSS has openly opposed the caste census”.
On Monday, the RSS chief spokesperson was addressing a gathering in Palakkad, Kerala, when he said: “In our Hindu society, we have a sensitive issue of our castes and caste relations… It is an important issue of our national unity and integrity, so it needs to be taken up very seriously, not just for elections or politics…”
He Caste census conducted by Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar In Bihar, when it was part of the INDIA bloc, it has been the demand of the opposition at the national level.
On Monday, the RSS spokesperson added: “For all social welfare activities, particularly those targeting a particular community or caste which are lagging and need special attention, so if sometimes the government needs the figures, it can take them. (The government) has already taken the figures before, it can take them, there is no problem.”
“But it is (The caste census) should be aimed solely at addressing the welfare of those communities and castes“It should not be used as a political tool for election campaigning. That is why we have issued a warning to everyone…” added Sunil Ambekar.
However, the Congress later used X to attack the right-wing organisation, which is also considered to be the ideological mentor of the BJP. The Congress posted: “The RSS has openly opposed the caste census. The RSS says that the caste census is not good for society. It is clear from this statement that the BJP and the RSS do not want to conduct a caste census. They do not want to give the Dalits, the Backward Classes and the tribals their rights. But let it be put on record: there will be a caste census and the Congress will do it.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly advocated a caste census to determine the exact size of each caste community. Several political parties have made similar demands.
The caste census conducted by CM Nitish Kumar in Bihar revealed that nearly 80 per cent of the population belongs to extremely backward classes.
What is RSS’s stand on caste census?
Further to Sridhar Gadge’s comments in December 2023, the RSS has clarified its position on the caste census, stating that it is not opposed to a nationwide implementation of the exercise.
In In December 2023, Sridhar Gadge had commented that a nationwide caste census would be “useless”.The RSS Sahasanghchalak of Vidarbha region also added that the caste census “would not be in the interest of the nation”.
“There should not be a caste-based census. In any case, what will it achieve?” Gadge told reporters in Nagpur. “A caste census will quantify populations based on caste, but it will not benefit the society or the nation.”
Distinguishing between a caste census and reservation, Gadge said: “The two are not related. The RSS supports reservation. It considers reservation necessary for the upliftment of backward sections.” Reservation can continue even without a caste census, he added.
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