News

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming the Centre’s recent decision to include caste data in the upcoming national census, while urging the government to ensure the data becomes the basis for far-reaching systemic reforms.

"The decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality. The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment," noted Yadav, in a post on microblogging site X.

In the letter, which he shared on his X post, Yadav termed the move a “belated acknowledgment” of the long-standing demands of marginalised communities. He called for the caste census data to serve as a foundation for re-evaluating existing social justice mechanisms, including the contentious cap on caste-based reservations.

“The census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The arbitrary cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered,” Yadav wrote, suggesting that the findings should influence not only welfare schemes but also the political map of the country.

He noted that the redrawing of parliamentary and assembly constituencies should be done in a manner “sensitive to and reflective of the caste census data.”

Further, Yadav pushed for wider inclusivity in the private sector, noting that the discourse around caste should not be confined to government employment alone.

“The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies,” he added.

Questioning the intent behind the data collection, the RJD leader asked whether the information would spark genuine reforms or be shelved like “many previous commission reports.”

The letter comes amid heightened political discourse around social justice, particularly after Bihar became the first state to conduct its caste-based survey last year, a move that was widely seen as pressuring the Centre to follow suit.

A caste census is a comprehensive exercise where the government gathers data on the caste composition of the population, including socio-economic indicators such as education levels, income, and access to resources.

While the Census of India has regularly collected data on Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) since 1951, it has historically excluded detailed information on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other caste groups — a significant omission, critics argue, for policy planning and equitable development.

Discover the latest Business News, Budget 2025 News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

${res.must_watch_article[0].headline}

Trading Plan Jammu Kashmir News Live Australia Election Results Singapore Election Results PM Modi on Shashi Tharoor Odisha 10th Result 2025 Ganga Expressway Indian Rupee Hyderabad Water Crisis IPL Points Table 2025

Business Markets Stocks India News City News Economy Mutual Funds Personal Finance IPO News Startups

Home Currencies Commodities Pre-Market IPO Global Market Bonds

Home Loans up to 50 Lakhs Credit Cards Lifetime Free Finance TrackerNew Fixed Deposits Fixed Deposit Comparison Fixed Income

Home MC 30 Top Ranked Funds ETFs Mutual Fund Screener

Income Tax Calculator EMI Calculator Retirement Planning Gratuity Calculator

Stock Markets

News18 Firstpost CNBC TV18 News18 Hindi Cricketnext Overdrive Topper Learning

About Us Contact Us Advisory Alert Advertise with Us SupportDisclaimer Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms & Conditions Financial Terms (Glossary) Sitemap Investors

You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user.