Why Did Nitish Kumar Commend PM Modi on the Caste Census Initiative?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bihar's CM commends PM Modi for caste census decision.
- Historical significance for social justice in India.
- Targeted development plans based on real caste data.
- Opposition voices call for broader reforms.
- Importance of accurate demographic representation in policymaking.
Patna, April 30 (NationPress) Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, regarding the groundbreaking decision to implement a caste-based census throughout the nation.
“This is truly a moment of immense joy. The initiative will facilitate a better understanding of the demographic framework and enable targeted policies for uplifting various societal groups. I extend my gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for this significant move,” he remarked.
Bihar has already undertaken a state-level caste survey in 2023, which is viewed as a pivotal factor in reigniting the national conversation on caste enumeration.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha supported Kumar's sentiments, labeling the decision as “historic.”
“This isn't merely a slogan; the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ is being put into practice. The government will now create targeted development initiatives grounded in authentic caste data,” Sinha stated.
He contrasted the current administration's decisions with those of previous governments.
“What past administrations overlooked, the Modi government is now addressing. This is a transformative step towards inclusive development and social equity,” Sinha declared.
The Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, also called the announcement a “historic triumph” for his party's social justice agenda.
“We advocated for the caste census from the Prime Minister to the President. Our demands were disregarded, but now, as our voices resonated in Delhi, they had to concede,” he remarked.
Tejashwi stressed that his party's objectives have now broadened. “Our fight will not conclude with merely counting castes. We will also advocate for seat reservations for the backward and extremely backward classes, similar to the provisions for Dalits and Adivasis,” he stated.
He further noted that the caste census should be conducted prior to the delimitation of constituencies, indicating a larger electoral restructuring based on accurate demographic representation.