OPINION | Caste census: How Modi floored the opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a politically significant move, has thrown the opposition into disarray by deciding to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census exercise. It is no secret that Modi decided to opt for a caste census with the Bihar assembly elections in mind. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar wanted a caste-based census, and Wednesday's CCPA decision is a clear change from the BJP's original stand. By doing this, Modi has shown how his timing is perfect. Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav had been making the caste census demand their main issue in the elections. In Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh Yadav floated the PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) theory. Rahul Gandhi had been consistently demanding a nationwide caste census. But Modi, by deciding in favour of a caste census, has taken the wind out of the opposition's sail. Two points need to be noted: One, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while making the announcement, pointed out that Congress governments at the Centre over the last several decades never accepted the demand for a caste census. Two, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, this will usher in a new age of equality, good governance and social justice. These remarks clearly indicate to what level BJP wants to take the caste census to. It will take three to four years for all data to be collated about castes.  But the effect will soon be seen after five months during the Bihar assembly elections. Caste census, the biggest weapon in the armoury of RJD-Congress Mahagathbandhan, will now be projected by the BJP. Two years later, when UP will be going for assembly elections in 2027, the caste census exercise at that time would be a work in progress. The BJP would use this issue for electoral gains. My view:  Modi is known for taking far-sighted decisions. 

Top Stories