Jaipur, August 25: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has labeled the current caste census process as fundamentally flawed, raising concerns about the central government’s intentions. He stated that this situation appears to be a deliberate strategy by the center to undermine the primary objectives of the caste census and prevent accurate data from emerging.
Gehlot noted that the announcement of the caste census was initially welcomed by all. However, the confusion being created now raises serious doubts about the government’s motives. He criticized the adoption of an “open-ended question” format, where individuals can declare their caste as they wish.
In India, a single caste can be known by different names, sub-castes, and linguistic variations across regions. Consequently, one caste can be fragmented into thousands of different names, rendering the final data unreliable and practically useless.
Gehlot expressed particular concern that the term “Other Backward Classes (OBC)” has not been included in the census. This omission makes it impossible to accurately assess the population of backward classes. He mentioned that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging that a comprehensive list of castes be prepared beforehand. Similar methods were employed in the caste surveys conducted in Telangana in 2024 and Bihar in 2022.
Gehlot demanded that the central government immediately retract this flawed process and engage with political parties, experts, and the public to develop a new questionnaire. He emphasized that the caste census can only fulfill its purpose if it provides accurate and meaningful data reflecting the social realities of the country. Such data is crucial for formulating effective policies aimed at social justice, equal representation, and the welfare of marginalized communities.
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