Cong slams census notification, demands clarity on caste enumeration
New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday criticised the Gazette notification issued by the Government on the 16th Census, calling it a "damp squib" that offers no clarity and "remains silent on the inclusion of caste data'.
On his social media handle X, Ramesh said that the notification merely reiterates what was already announced on April 30, 2025, and questioned the government's intent regarding caste enumeration.
Ramesh alleged, 'It is entirely because of the persistence and insistence of the Indian National Congress that the PM surrendered to the demand for a caste census. He had called Congress leaders as urban Naxals for making this demand'.
The Modi government had earlier rejected the idea of a caste census in both Parliament and the Supreme Court, the Rajya Sabha MP alleged.
'Today's Gazette Notification is, however, SILENT on the inclusion of caste in the 16th Census. Is this yet another U-turn by the ustad of U-turns? Or will details be announced later?' Ramesh asked, targetting the PM.
Reiterating the party's demand that the 16th Census adopt the Telangana model, Ramesh said, 'The INC firmly believes that the 16th Census must adopt the Telangana model for not just caste enumeration but also bringing out detailed data information on socio-economic parameters caste-wise'.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officially notified that the next Census of the population of India will be conducted in the year 2027.
Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday reviewed the preparation for the forthcoming Census of India here with Union Home Secretary, Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI), and other senior officials.
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