New Delhi: Congress on Monday raised objection to the wording of a freshly notified census question that asks "whether the head of the households belongs to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or 'Other' categories", rather than explicitly asking about OBC and General categories.
This, the Opposition party said, raised doubts about the government's commitment to hold a comprehensive and fair caste census and demanded the government discuss the matter with Opposition parties and other stakeholders.
"The Modi government has just notified the list of subjects to be covered in the House-listing and Housing Census Schedule. Question 12 asks whether the head of the household belongs to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or 'Other' categories - rather than explicitly asking about OBC and general categories. Since caste enumeration is to be part of Census 2027, Question 12 as formulated does raise serious questions on the Modi government's true intentions and on its commitment to a comprehensive, fair, nation-wide caste census," said Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh.
"The Indian National Congress now calls upon the Modi government to immediately initiate a dialogue with political parties, state governments, and civil society organisations before finalising the details of the caste enumeration exercise," Ramesh added while pointing out that the Centre agreed to hold the caste census only after Congress under Rahul Gandhi raised the issue.
This, the Opposition party said, raised doubts about the government's commitment to hold a comprehensive and fair caste census and demanded the government discuss the matter with Opposition parties and other stakeholders.
"The Modi government has just notified the list of subjects to be covered in the House-listing and Housing Census Schedule. Question 12 asks whether the head of the household belongs to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or 'Other' categories - rather than explicitly asking about OBC and general categories. Since caste enumeration is to be part of Census 2027, Question 12 as formulated does raise serious questions on the Modi government's true intentions and on its commitment to a comprehensive, fair, nation-wide caste census," said Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh.
"The Indian National Congress now calls upon the Modi government to immediately initiate a dialogue with political parties, state governments, and civil society organisations before finalising the details of the caste enumeration exercise," Ramesh added while pointing out that the Centre agreed to hold the caste census only after Congress under Rahul Gandhi raised the issue.
