M A I N   N E W S

Congress bites the bullet of caste census
Decision soon, PM assures House
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 7
There were indications on Friday that the government would allow caste census in the country , for the first time since 1931.

Soon after the Prime Minister assured in the Parliament that the government would shortly take a decision, Congress trouble shooter Pranab Mukherjee told the media outside Parliament House that there would be no ‘logistical problem’ in adding one more column during the on-going census.

Faced with growing unanimity for a caste census and considerable pressure from the Opposition, the Congress appears resigned to it, though till yesterday it favoured further discussion on the subject.

Congress sources claimed that although sharp divisions still exist within the party, Congress President Sonia Gandhi favouring a caste census tipped the balance. “Despite sharp differences over the Women’s Reservation Bill in the party, it was Sonia’s will that finally prevailed,” they pointed out.

Political observers say the Congress as a party was not much in favour of such a census because traditionally OBCs have never been its vote bank. Depending largely upon upper castes, Muslims and Dalits, in northern India Daroga Rai is among the exceptions who despite being an OBC was made the Bihar Chief Minister by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi “Largely the Congress is averse to giving any concession that can be seen as a scoring point for Lalu and Mulayam,” they say.

PM’s assurance came soon after Home Minister P. Chidambaram had told the Lok Sabha that the UPA government and the Cabinet would consider the members’ demand that the question of caste should be canvassed in the Census.

Earlier, the Home Minister told the Lok Sabha that the members’ demands would be given weight at the time of discussions on Census issues. “As I understand the members, they want that the question of caste must be canvassed. That means the enumerator should record whatever answer the respondent gives to the question “what is your caste?” At that point of time, it is simply collection of the information. According to members, it is desirable to collect information. I assure the House that the government will give due weight to all aspects of the issue discussed in the House,” Chidambaram said.