BJP Never Opposed Caste Census, Consultations Needed: Amit Shah

Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said “BJP never opposed the idea of caste census, but it would take an appropriate decision after consulting everyone”

He was speaking with reporters at the Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the state headquarters of the BJP, at the announcement of the party’s manifesto for the Chhattisgarh elections this month.

Shah responded, “We are a national party and we don’t do politics of votes on this issue,” in response to a question concerning the 17 campaign promises made by the incumbent Congress, which included the state’s caste census. After discussing it with everyone, we will decide on the best course of action and report back. But it is incorrect to contest polls on that basis.

“The BJP has never opposed the caste census; but, decisions must be made with much consideration. We’ll reveal when it’s right,” he remarked.

If the Congress holds onto power in the state of Chhattisgarh, it has pledged to conduct a caste census in the region.

During their rallies in the state that will soon hold elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have been criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his ability to discuss the welfare of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and why he is afraid of the OBC census.

Last month, PM Modi questioned the Congress over their desire to curtail Muslim rights by arguing that rights should be granted based on population during his rally in Jagdalpur (Bastar district).

According to Modi, the poor constitute the majority of the population in the nation and, regardless of their caste or community, they ought to have priority access to the nation’s resources.

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar last month released findings of its caste survey, months ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections, which revealed that OBCs and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

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