Sudden U-turn by govt on caste census: Ramesh

In April 2024, PM Narendra Modi, during a television interview, had labelled those demanding a caste census as 'urban Naxals'

- AGENCIES

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a 'sudden and desperate U-turn' on caste census in India.

The central government had recently announced that caste enumeration would be part of the upcoming national census, a move that has sparked widespread political discussion.

Through a social media post, the Congress leader highlighted how the Modi government had previously opposed the idea of a caste-based census.

He referred to three instances that he says clearly show the government's change in stance.

In April 2024, Prime Minister Modi, during a television interview, had labelled those demanding a caste census as 'urban Naxals'.

Ramesh also recalled that in July 2021, the central government had informed Parliament that it had decided not to collect caste-wise population data, except for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).