The Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant policy move. They have decided to include caste-based data in the upcoming national census. This decision occurred during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA). The meeting is often referred to as the “Super Cabinet.” It was held on Wednesday.
Key Cabinet Members Present
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Modi. It included senior cabinet members. These members included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Other members were Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Information & Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Caste Enumeration to Be Part of Official Census
Addressing the media, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the next national census will incorporate caste data. He emphasized that unlike earlier instances, some states conducted caste surveys independently. This time it will be an integrated part of the central government’s census operation. This is considered a historic development, as post-independence censuses have not officially included caste-wise data beyond Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Clarity and Transparency Over Patchy State Surveys
Vaishnaw pointed out that some states have carried out their own caste surveys. However, these were inconsistent. In certain cases, they lacked transparency. These surveys sometimes created confusion and social unrest. The central government aims to ensure accurate data. It seeks standardized and nationally valid data. Therefore, it has opted to collect caste information directly through the national census.
Constitutional Backing and Uniformity
The minister highlighted that the census is a central subject. This is under Entry 69 of the Union List, as per Article 246 of the Constitution. Although states may conduct social surveys, the inclusion of caste data in the national census will ensure consistency and reliability.
Criticism of Congress and Opposition’s Stance
Vaishnaw criticized the Congress party. He alleged that successive Congress-led governments have opposed the inclusion of caste data in the official census. He cited an example from 2010, when then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had promised to deliberate on caste enumeration in the Cabinet. A ministerial group was formed. However, the Congress did not proceed with a caste census. Instead, they commissioned a separate socio-economic survey (SECC). This survey was not officially recognized as a caste census.
A Step Toward Social Empowerment
Vaishnaw stressed that including caste data in the official census would help the government make informed policy decisions. It would address social inequalities more effectively. He noted that earlier decisions like granting 10% EWS reservation to economically weaker sections were implemented peacefully. This demonstrates that Indian society is capable of embracing inclusive reforms without unrest.
