If 81% Nations Can Conduct A Census Despite Covid, Why Can’t Modi Govt?

In a heated debate surrounding the contentious issue of a “fake” caste census conducted by the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to the floor of the Rajya Sabha on April 1 to criticize the Modi government for its apparent reluctance to conduct a national census. He highlighted the ongoing delay in the census exercise, emphasizing the importance of this demographic tool for effective governance and social welfare.

During the Zero Hour session, Kharge pointed out that historically, even during times of war, India has managed to conduct its decadal census without interruption. He underscored that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant majority—81 percent—of countries around the world successfully carried out their census during this period. This statistic, he argued, underscores the Modi government’s failure to prioritize the census, raising questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Kharge further accused the government of being unwilling to expand the scope of the census to include data on castes beyond the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). He questioned the rationale behind the government’s existing data collection practices, which already encompass SCs and STs, yet exclude other castes. This inconsistency, he argued, reflects a broader reluctance to engage with the complexities of India’s social fabric.

The Congress president also pointed to the financial allocation for the census, which he described as woefully inadequate. The Modi government has earmarked only Rs 575 crore for the census this year, a sum that Kharge believes indicates a lack of seriousness regarding the exercise. He warned that this delay in conducting the census is detrimental to millions of people who are being excluded from essential welfare schemes. Policymakers, he noted, are making decisions without access to reliable and up-to-date demographic data, which could lead to ineffective or misdirected policies.

In contrast, Kharge highlighted the proactive steps taken by the Congress government in Telangana, which has successfully conducted its own caste census. Telangana has emerged as a pioneer in implementing reservations based on a caste survey, with its legislative assembly passing a significant bill to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42 percent in government jobs, educational institutions, and local body elections. This move has been lauded as a progressive step towards addressing the socio-economic disparities faced by various communities.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has suggested that the Telangana model could serve as a valuable template for a nationwide caste census. He believes that the insights gained from Telangana’s comprehensive caste census could provide a clearer understanding of the socio-economic conditions of different communities across the country. Analysts have noted that the detailed demographic data yielded by Telangana’s approach is more effective in identifying the specific needs and challenges faced by various groups, making it a potential model for other states and the nation as a whole.

In summary, the ongoing debate over the caste census reflects broader issues of governance, social justice, and the need for accurate data in policymaking. As the Congress party continues to advocate for a national caste census, the contrasting approaches of the Modi government and the Telangana state government highlight the complexities and challenges of addressing caste-based inequalities in India.