Why is Dharmendra Pradhan Criticizing Congress Over Caste Census?
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Synopsis
In a recent press conference, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan strongly defended the government's caste-based census initiative while criticizing the Congress party for their historical opposition to social justice measures. He questioned their motives and highlighted their past negligence towards marginalized communities, emphasizing the BJP's commitment to equitable representation.
Key Takeaways
- BJP supports caste-based census
- Criticism of Congress' historical stance
- Importance of social justice for marginalized
- Need for equitable representation
- Political implications of census data
New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has voiced strong support for the government's initiative to conduct a caste-based census alongside the upcoming population census, criticizing the Opposition for attempting to claim credit and presenting themselves as the 'champions of social justice'.
While addressing the press at the party headquarters, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the initiative as 'futuristic', emphasizing that it reflects the Modi government's dedication to ensuring social justice for everyone, as well as the empowerment of marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
“This decision will create a more equitable environment for all groups. Its impact will be forward-looking,” Pradhan stated to reporters.
He ridiculed the Congress and the INDIA bloc for trying to take credit for the caste census announcement, questioning why the nation had to wait seven decades for such a measure.
“Certain parties seemed anxious following the caste census declaration. They assert - Sarkar unka hai, system hamara hai’ (the government belongs to them, but the system belongs to us). If that were true, why was no caste census conducted after Independence?” Pradhan remarked, in apparent response to Rahul Gandhi's comments from Wednesday night.
“The only caste count that occurred was in 1931, prior to Independence. Why wasn't it conducted in 1951 and subsequently? Who was in control of the government at that time?” he questioned.
Highlighting the Congress party's long-standing neglect and 'deliberate' disregard for backward castes and communities, he noted that Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, was so opposed to caste-based quotas that he communicated to chief ministers that merit would decline if reservations were enacted.
The Union Minister further accused past Congress governments of shelving the Mandal Commission report and neglecting to confer the nation’s highest civilian honor on Babasaheb.
“The Mandal Commission report was ignored for a decade. When the V.P. Singh government implemented it, the BJP supported the decision,” he stated.
He mentioned that the BJP backed the implementation of the Mandal Commission report while former PM Rajiv Gandhi opposed it.
“We suggested that the Mandal Commission report be enacted. However, Rajiv Gandhi, then the Leader of Opposition, vehemently resisted reservations for OBCs,” he emphasized.
“They claim to advocate for social justice, yet they denied the nation’s highest honor to the Constitution's architect. It was only in the 1990s that Babasaheb received the Bharat Ratna award,” he pointed out.
He also criticized the Congress for their conduct regarding caste surveys in states they govern, asking if they fail to see the distinction between a census and a survey.
He stated that the grand old party has consistently opposed the empowerment of the underprivileged, Dalits, and backward communities.
“Today, they purport to be advocates for social justice, but their hypocrisy regarding this matter is more evident than ever,” he concluded.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the complexities of the caste census debate. While the BJP aims to forge a path toward social justice, the historical context provided by Pradhan reminds us of the longstanding challenges in implementing equitable policies. A balanced discourse is essential, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard while holding all parties accountable for their past actions.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the caste-based census?
The caste-based census aims to provide data that can help in addressing social inequalities and ensuring that marginalized communities receive fair representation and resources.
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan criticize the Congress party?
Pradhan criticized the Congress for attempting to take credit for the caste census decision while highlighting their historical opposition to similar initiatives over the decades.
What was the response of the BJP regarding social justice?
The BJP, through Pradhan, asserted its commitment to social justice, emphasizing that the caste census will create a more equitable landscape for all societal sections.
