Mallikarjun Kharge Urges PM Modi for Clear Caste Census Timeline, Recommends Telangana Model

Caste Census Timeline: In a powerful appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has demanded a clearly defined timeline for every phase of the upcoming national census, especially emphasizing the inclusion of a comprehensive caste survey. Kharge also urged the government to adopt the Telangana model for caste enumeration, calling it a step toward ensuring social and economic justice.

The letter, sent on Monday, follows the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs’ (CCPA) April 30 announcement that caste data will be included in the upcoming decennial census. However, no specifics have been released since that approval, prompting Kharge to seek clarity from the central government.

“Caste Census Is Not Divisive”

Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed claims that caste census is a divisive move. “Conducting any exercise such as the caste census, which gives the backward, the oppressed, and the marginalized sections of our society their rights, cannot and should not be considered divisive in any way,” he wrote.

Reiterating the Congress party’s long-standing demand for a caste-based census, Kharge said, “Unfortunately, your party leaders and you yourself have continuously attacked the Congress Party and the Congress leadership for raising this legitimate demand. Today, you yourself are admitting that this demand is in the interest of deeper social justice and social empowerment.”

Mallikarjun Kharge Bats for Telangana Model

Highlighting the effectiveness of the recently conducted Telangana caste survey, Kharge recommended that the Union Home Ministry use it as a blueprint. “The design of the census questionnaire is extremely important. Caste information should be collected not just for the sake of counting but to achieve broader socio-economic goals,” he stressed.

He added, “Nothing should be hidden in the report to be published at the end of the process so that the complete socio-economic data of each caste is publicly available. This will help measure their progress from one census to the next.”

Demand for Immediate Action and Budget Allocation

Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the urgency of the matter. “The government must immediately allocate the necessary funds and announce a clear timeline for every stage of the census,” he wrote, indicating that mere announcements won’t suffice without actionable plans and transparency.

Call to Amend Reservation Cap and Protect State Laws

The Congress leader also raised the issue of reservation limits. Referring to the Tamil Nadu Reservation Act of 1994, which was included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, Kharge said, “Similarly, the reservation acts passed by all the states should be included in the Ninth Schedule.”

He called for the removal of the 50% cap on reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs through constitutional amendment. “It is clear that the arbitrary maximum limit will have to be removed if we are serious about social equity,” Kharge asserted.

Push for OBC Reservation in Private Institutions

In a final note, Kharge urged the government to implement Article 15(5) in full spirit, which allows for OBC reservation in both public and private educational institutions. He encouraged early dialogue with all political parties on this critical issue, stressing the need for unity and inclusive governance.

“Our great nation and our big-hearted people have always stood united in adversity. We all showed solidarity after the recent cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Similarly, we must unite for social justice,” Kharge said.

Mallikarjun Kharge’s detailed letter serves as a bold reminder that India’s census is not just a bureaucratic exercise but a tool to shape the nation’s inclusive future. With the 2021 census still pending due to delays, the demand for transparency, accuracy, and justice in the upcoming caste enumeration is gaining stronger momentum