Congress Demands Verified Caste Lists For 2027 Census

The Congress party has demanded that the government conduct the 2027 caste census using verified state-wise lists of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and general category communities.

Congress national spokesperson Ragini Nayak accused the Modi government of weakening the caste census process. She claimed that the current census format could create confusion and lead to unreliable data.

Nayak said that people from OBC and general categories may be able to enter their caste names freely, resulting in the same caste being recorded under different names, spellings, or sub-castes. She demanded that the government introduce a state-wise verified dropdown list of castes in the digital census.

The Congress party has been demanding a caste census for several years, and Nayak claimed that Rahul Gandhi had forced the government to announce the exercise for 2027. She alleged that the government had earlier refused to conduct a caste census and had even told the Supreme Court that it was not possible.

Nayak referred to Telangana as an example of how the exercise could be conducted, where caste-wise data of around 3.55 crore people and their socio-economic status was collected and published. She said accurate caste data was necessary for fair representation, social justice, reservation, and other policy decisions.

The Congress party has urged the government to consult political parties, experts, and citizens before finalising the questionnaire. Nayak said the Congress would continue its fight for Dalits, Tribals, OBCs, minorities, and other disadvantaged groups and demanded a transparent and accurate caste census across the country.

The demand for a caste census has been a long-standing one, with many arguing that it is necessary to understand the socio-economic status of different communities and to ensure fair representation. The government's decision to conduct a caste census in 2027 is seen as a significant step towards addressing these concerns.

However, the Congress party's demands highlight the challenges and complexities involved in conducting a caste census. The use of verified state-wise lists of castes is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.

The outcome of the 2027 caste census will have significant implications for policy decisions and social justice initiatives in the country. It is likely to be a closely watched exercise, with many stakeholders keenly interested in the outcome.

In conclusion, the Congress party's demands for a verified caste census highlight the importance of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected. The use of verified state-wise lists of castes is a crucial step towards achieving this goal, and it is likely to be a key factor in determining the success of the 2027 caste census.