Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again underscored the necessity of conducting a nationwide caste census, positioning it as a vital tool for equitable policymaking and social justice in India. During his address at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi argued that a staggering 90 percent of the population remains disenfranchised, disconnected from the system, and deprived of the benefits and opportunities that should be their right. He stressed that these marginalized groups, despite possessing the requisite skills, talent, and knowledge, are systematically excluded, and a caste census would be the first step towards rectifying this deep-seated inequity.
Gandhi did not hold back in his criticism of the media, accusing it of focusing disproportionately on entertainment, sports, and celebrity culture while neglecting the real issues faced by ordinary Indians, particularly farmers and laborers. He pointed out the stark absence of representation from Dalit, Tribal, and OBC communities in prominent public platforms, using the example of the Miss India beauty pageant, where he noted there were no women from these communities. This exclusion, he argued, is symptomatic of a broader societal and systemic problem that the caste census could help illuminate and address.
Reiterating his long-standing demand, Gandhi emphasized that the caste census is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a foundational step in creating effective and inclusive policies. He explained that understanding the demographic composition of the country is crucial for ensuring that resources and opportunities are distributed fairly among all communities. Gandhi went further to suggest that the census should be followed by a detailed analysis of how wealth and power are distributed across different castes and communities. This, he argued, is essential for crafting policies that genuinely uplift the marginalized and bring them into the mainstream.
In addition to the caste census, Gandhi called for a thorough examination of the representation of marginalized communities in key national institutions such as the bureaucracy, judiciary, and media. He questioned how much participation these communities currently have in decision-making processes and stressed that true democracy cannot exist without their voices being heard and their interests being represented.
This demand for a caste census has been a central theme in the Congress party’s electoral strategy, particularly in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The party’s manifesto explicitly promises to conduct a socio-economic caste census to enumerate castes, sub-castes, and their socio-economic conditions. Gandhi has also proposed a financial and institutional survey aimed at understanding how wealth is distributed among different social groups, further emphasizing his commitment to addressing systemic inequality through data-driven policy initiatives.
However, Gandhi’s advocacy for the caste census has not been without controversy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that it could lead to the distribution of the country’s wealth to "infiltrators" and to families with more children. Modi’s remarks, which many interpreted as a veiled attack on Gandhi's intentions, have ignited a significant backlash from opposition parties. Critics of the Prime Minister’s stance argue that his comments distract from the real issue of social justice and the need for a fair distribution of resources among all citizens, regardless of caste or community.
Gandhi's call for a caste census also taps into a broader discourse on the need for data transparency and social equity in India. In a country as diverse and complex as India, where caste still plays a significant role in determining one's socio-economic status, a comprehensive understanding of the population's composition is crucial for crafting policies that are genuinely inclusive. Gandhi's insistence on the importance of the caste census reflects his broader vision of a more just and equitable India, where every citizen, regardless of caste or background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
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