Is RJD's Celebration of the Centre's Caste Census Decision a Triumph for Lalu Yadav's Long-standing Demand?

New Delhi, April 30 (NationPress) The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed its enthusiasm on Wednesday regarding the Central government's decision to incorporate caste-based enumeration in the forthcoming national Census, labeling it a long-awaited move and a significant ideological win for its leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

RJD officials, including Tejashwi Yadav, highlighted that the caste census has been a longstanding demand of their party for over three decades.

In a statement to IANS, Bihar’s Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, remarked: "Our demand has spanned 30 years. Senior leaders have persistently advocated for this cause. In 1996-97, during the Janata Dal's governance, the Cabinet approved a proposal for a caste census. The Census occurs every decade, thus it should have been executed in 2001. However, under the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it was halted. In 2011, the proposal was approved again and subsequently passed at the state level under the coalition government in Bihar."

"We have not only advocated for a caste census on a national scale but have also fought for reservations for backward and extremely backward communities. We have repeatedly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate this process at a national level. This is a victory for Lalu Yadav and the socialist principles he embodies. The BJP is simply implementing what we have championed for years. The findings of this census must lead to budget allocations and enhanced political representation for marginalized communities, including seats in state Assemblies."

Another party member, Sanjay Yadav, remarked that the Centre’s decision is a testament to their enduring ideological struggle.

"This is a triumph of the socialist ideology promoted by our predecessors and especially by Lalu Prasad Yadav. In 1996, when the Janata Dal, headed by Prime Minister Deve Gowda, held power and Lalu Yadav was the national President, the decision to include caste data in the 2001 Census was made. However, the NDA reclaimed power in 1998 and reversed this decision," he explained.

"Since that time, we have consistently demanded this — in 2010, during the 2011 Census, and even during a socio-economic survey. Nevertheless, the NDA government never made the report public. Under Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership, the Bihar Assembly passed resolutions twice demanding a caste census. He convened meetings with the Chief Minister and even led a delegation to meet the Prime Minister. Despite the Centre's consistent refusals, our MPs consistently raised this matter in both Houses of Parliament."

"This decision is the outcome of our commitment, vision, and political insight. It affirms our policies and demonstrates how ongoing democratic pressure can bring about significant change," added Sanjay Yadav.