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EYE ON INDIA MAY 09, 2025 | The Indian Eye 7

(Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) and a “PM Modi is the one who worked for
result of collective pressure from var- backward class people...he has done
ious groups. a lot of work for various communi-
Addressing a press conference, ties...”, he said.
Yadav said, “The government has Earlier in the day, Maharashtra
just taken a decision. We are happy Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shin-
that a step has been taken towards de also welcomed the Union Cabi-
establishing social justice. The deci- net’s decision to include a caste cen-
sion of caste census is a 100% victo- sus in the upcoming national census.
ry of 90% PDA people. Due to the He said that this will truly open the
combined pressure from all of us, the doors to social justice.
BJP government has been forced to Shinde described the decision as
take this decision. This is an import- “historic.”
ant step in the victory of PDA in the “Yesterday’s decision is historic
fight for social justice...” for all the people of the country...
But Vaishnaw said the move falls people who belong to backwards
under the central government’s au- classes can be brought to the main-
thority and will be executed transpar- stream...everybody will get justice
ently. Vaishnaw also criticised pre- from this...Shiv Sena welcomes this
vious Congress-led governments for decision,” he said.
avoiding a caste census and accused On Tuesday, Maurya criticised
them of using the issue for political Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh
gain. He added that the Modi-led Yadav, claiming that in the 2027 As-
government’s decision aligns with sembly elections, the public would
constitutional principles and will make the “Samajwadi Party” a “Sa-
help strengthen the social and eco- maptwadi Party.”
nomic fabric. Echoing Congress leader Rahul
However, Congress MP Pra- Gandhi’s call for a clear roadmap
mod Tiwari on Thursday described and timeline for the caste enumer-
the Centre’s decision to include ation in the forthcoming census,
caste-based census with national Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on
census as a “victory” for the per- Thursday criticised Prime Minister
sistent efforts of party leader Ra- Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan pays a floral tribute to Dr. BR Narendra Modi for just providing a
hul Gandhi and Congress president Ambedkar before addressing a press conference on the Centre’s decision to conduct caste cen- “headline without a deadline.”
Mallikarjun Kharge. sus, at Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/Shrikant Singh) “Like what Rahul Gandhi said
He accused the BJP of attempt- yesterday, ‘headline toh de diya, le-
ing to delay the process but said kin deadline kaha hai?’ Our PM is
Congress remained committed to Article 246 of the Constitution, list- position is saying that we have tak- an expert in giving headlines without
ensuring justice for every section of ed at item 69 in the Union List of the en this decision in view of the Bihar deadlines. He said that caste will be
society. “This is the victory of Ra- Seventh Schedule. elections, but if this decision had to involved, and Rahul Gandhi asked
hul Gandhi. This is the victory of Union Minister Chirag Paswan be taken from the point of view of for a roadmap for it... We have been
the proposal passed by Mallikarjun alleged that the Congress party used elections, then we would have taken asking for it for the last six years,”
Kharge on April 9... BJP is still not the caste census as a political weapon this decision before the Lok Sabha he said.
revealing the deadline. It is a ground to incite people’s sentiments stating elections...” he added. Addressing a press conference,
reality that they have to do the caste that if they wanted to do a caste- He further added that several Ramesh questioned the govern-
census... They are still trying to run based census so badly, they should important issues on national se- ment’s intent and preparedness,
away from this, but Congress is re- have done it earlier. curity had to be worked upon, and pointing to inadequate budget allo-
solved to bring justice to every sec- “Today, Rahul Gandhi wants to assured that the PM would take all cations for the operation and a lack
tion of the society... I believe this is take credit for this, saying that this decisions based on the sentiments of of clarity on implementation details.
the victory of the tireless efforts of happened under my pressure. Your the country. He highlighted discrepancies in
Congress...,” he said. party’s government remained in the Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief funding, noting that the budget allo-
Meanwhile, NCP leader Chha- centre for a long time. Leave the Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on cated to the census commissioner’s
gan Bhujbal on Thursday welcomed party aside, there have been three Thursday launched a scathing attack office for this year was Rs 575 crore,
the Union government’s decision Prime Ministers from your family. on the Opposition parties for claim- which contradicts PM Modi’s 2019
to conduct a caste census along If you wanted a caste-based census ing credit for the Centre’s decision claim of requiring Rs 8254 crore for
with the decadal census, calling it a in the country so badly, then you to conduct a caste census. Maurya the national census.
long-pending demand since 1992. He should have got it done earlier. But said, “ Opposition ....whatever they “In 2025-26, the census commis-
added that the move will ensure that you used it as a political weapon and say, but they had enough time when sioner’s office in the Home Ministry,
OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis receive only worked to incite people’s senti- they were in power....10 years, Rahul which has been given the responsi-
funds and support. ments,” Paswan said, speaking to me- Gandhi ran the Manmohan Singh bility of conducting the caste census,
Bhujbal said, “This is a very diapersons here. govt at the Centre, Akhilesh Yadav was allocated Rs 575 crore in the
good thing. We have been demand- The Union Minister further ap- backed Congress led government, budget. But on 24 December 2019,
ing this since 1992... It is good that plauded Prime Minister Narendra RJD also backed Congress led govt PM Narendra Modi’s government
this time the decision has been tak- Modi for introducing the system. but none of them did anything for said that Rs 8254 crore is required
en, and now just like Dalits and Ad- “Today, our government has ful- backward people.” for the national census... So, what is
ivasis get funds, OBCs will also start filled this demand. My Prime Min- Maurya further lauded PM Modi the purpose and the intent? Only a
getting funds.” ister is known for taking the right as one who works for the backward headline? No details. No Budget...
Census is a Union subject under decisions at the right time. The op- classes and various communities. This is the reality,” he stated.

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