Why Are Congress Leaders Questioning the Timing of the Centre's Caste Census Decision?

New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) Congress leaders expressed a cautious welcome on Thursday regarding the Centre's groundbreaking decision to initiate a caste-based census coinciding with the forthcoming national population count. However, they raised significant concerns about the timing of this announcement, particularly as the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The government's decision was unveiled on Wednesday following a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the announcement, the caste census will be incorporated into the next nationwide population enumeration, marking a pivotal policy change at the Central level.

While Congress acknowledged that the demand for a caste-based census has long been championed by the Opposition, they questioned the motives behind revealing this decision during a period of national mourning for the 26 innocent civilians who lost their lives in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

In comments to IANS, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi stated, "The Samajwadi Party, Congress, and various political factions have long advocated for a caste-based census. Rahul Gandhi previously asserted in Parliament that if the government failed to carry it out, they would do so when they assumed power."

While he welcomed the initiative, Alvi added, "The demand has been acknowledged; however, this announcement comes at a moment when the nation is eager to see what actions the government will undertake in response to the Pahalgam tragedy."

"The caste census is imperative. The entire Opposition has consistently advocated for this. Although the BJP was hesitant to initiate it, my pressing question is: Is this the appropriate moment for the caste census? Is the government attempting to divert attention from the Pahalgam incident with this move?" he questioned.

Alvi further scrutinized the government's priorities, stating, "As the nation anticipates the government's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, how can we expect terrorism to be eradicated? At such a critical juncture, the government chose to move forward with a caste-based census. What holds greater significance, Pahalgam or the caste census?"

He expressed skepticism regarding the timing's intentions, remarking, "Are you commencing the census tomorrow? The government ought to have made this announcement when they were ready to initiate the census. The timing suggests that they want to dilute the issue. The nation will not forget this tragedy."

Alvi also critiqued Prime Minister Modi's choice of location following his return from Saudi Arabia.

"When the entire nation awaited a decisive action against those responsible for Pahalgam, this decision was made. The Prime Minister appears more focused on Bihar, having traveled there after returning from Saudi Arabia, despite the loss of 26 innocent lives in Pahalgam. He did not issue a warning to Pakistan from Kashmir but rather from Patna," Alvi remarked.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari welcomed the caste census decision as well, attributing it to the persistent efforts of his party.

Speaking to IANS, he stated, "They have merely announced the decision. Rahul Gandhi conducted a comprehensive press conference later at the All India Congress Committee, questioning the timeline. We express gratitude to him and the Congress Party for their unwavering efforts. It was our relentless demand that compelled the government to acknowledge this, though in an incomplete manner."

Thus, the Congress party has adopted a dual perspective—commending the decision as a vital step forward while simultaneously voicing skepticism regarding the timing and intentions behind the government's announcement amid national sorrow and escalating security concerns.