Anil Jaihind, All India Congress Committee’s OBC wing chairman, on Thursday said a caste census is required to determine the exact population and socio-economic status of backward classes in the country even as he flayed the omission of OBC categories in census questionnaires.
“The census should not just count castes. Census will really be meaningful if they come to know their educational, financial and social status and thereafter the needs of the society are identified and worked upon,” Jaihind said while addressing a press conference here.
“Telangana’s 54-question model serves as an ideal blueprint for the entire nation, whereas the Centre’s current process—which is based solely on numerical counting—is inadequate for facilitating meaningful policy reforms,” he claimed.
Jaihind also demanded that the Centre conduct a scientific caste census that goes beyond merely counting castes to collect detailed data regarding their economic, social, and educational status as well as their representation in government jobs, political bodies, and the bureaucracy.
He also claimed that the Women’s Reservation Bill contains no specific provisions for OBC women. “This will create a social imbalance within the Parliament, undermining the democratic principle of equal participation while constitutional rights of the OBC community would be trampled,” Jaihind said.
“Congress OBC wing is celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule across the country. A grand event is being organised on April 11, in Lucknow,” said Manoj Yadav, UP Congress OBC wing chairman.
Ponnam Prabhakar Goud, Telangana minister; Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief and Aradhana Mishra, UP Congress Legislature Party Leader and other senior leaders will take part in the event, he added.
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