Is Union Minister Kumaraswamy Right to Call the Centre's Caste Census Decision 'Historic and Visionary'?

Bengaluru, April 30 (NationPress) In a statement regarding the caste survey, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy remarked on Wednesday that the decision taken by the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a remarkable and forward-thinking initiative.

Kumaraswamy emphasized, “This is a remarkable and forward-thinking initiative under the exceptional guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, as caste enumeration will now be incorporated into the forthcoming national census for the first time since 1931.”

This groundbreaking action will provide India with reliable, scientific, and transparent caste data, moving away from politically motivated state-level surveys that often lacked credibility and consistency, he noted.

With this courageous decision, Prime Minister Modi has reaffirmed his dedication to inclusive governance and evidence-based policymaking. This will enhance welfare planning, fortify social justice, and pave the way for a more just future for all, he added.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for this decisive and visionary action in the interest of our nation,” Kumaraswamy stated.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan welcomed the central government's decision to conduct a caste census alongside the general census.

Speaking to the press on Wednesday at the BJP state office, ‘Jagannath Bhavan’ in Bengaluru, he remarked that although the state government lacked the authority to conduct a caste census, the ruling Congress previously executed it under the pretense of a social and educational survey.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that confusion existed regarding the process in Karnataka.

There were grievances that it was inadequately conducted, lacked legal validity, and that enumerators did not visit every household, leading to inaccuracies in the counting of castes, he said.

He accused the Congress government of creating discord over the issue, which resulted in divisions among society and various castes. To resolve this and clarify the situation, the central government has decided to carry out the caste census in a clear, scientific, legally valid, and officially sanctioned manner, he explained.

Ashwath Narayan stressed that this process will be systematic and will offer a clear understanding of the conditions of all societal segments. On behalf of the BJP, he extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Modi for spearheading this initiative.

N. Ravikumar, Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, remarked, “For the first time since Independence, the central government is undertaking a caste census. This will aid in making informed decisions regarding the country’s educational, economic, and social conditions and will be valuable for numerous future policy decisions.”

Speaking with media representatives on Wednesday at the BJP state office, he stated that the central government’s decision regarding the caste census and general census has brought joy to citizens nationwide.

He mentioned that they welcome this decision, asserting that it will facilitate a better understanding of the conditions of various castes. He added that the Karnataka unit of the BJP supports this initiative.

He highlighted that the central government’s decision to conduct a caste census was now being covered extensively by the media and emphasized that this falls within the constitutional authority of the central government.

He criticized that in the past, some political parties conducted caste surveys for their own political gains.

He further noted that a proper caste census had not been conducted in Karnataka before; instead, what occurred was a social, economic, and educational survey that was also poorly executed. Many communities opposed it, he said, and explained that several groups claimed their actual numbers were underrepresented in the survey.