Patna: The much talked about caste census will not be conducted this time. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Sushil Modi said that the preparations for the census have been completed.
He revealed that a plan has been drawn up for nationwide census, and last-minute census of backward classes (caste-based census) is not possible.
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Talking about the Centre’s decision on the issue of caste census, he also said that if any state wants, it can conduct caste based census like Telangana. On the other hand, he hit out at RJD’s statement about adding only one column for the caste census. He argued that it was not just a matter of adding a column, but contrary to the RJD’s claim.
The Center said that preparations have been made for the nationwide census and it is not possible for the Center to carry out a last-minute census of backward classes. However, if a state wants, it can conduct caste census like Telangana. Don’t talk about adding columns like RJD says: BJP MP Sushil Modi pic.twitter.com/oXgnRXcdNv
— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2021
Significantly, the issue of conducting caste census in Bihar is being raised loudly. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also in favor of doing so. He had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with a 10-member delegation on 23 August.
CM Nitish had appealed to the Prime Minister to consider the benefits of caste based census. The members of the delegation also held the same opinion. However, recently the central government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that the center is not in favor of conducting a caste-based census.
Due to this move of the central government, the political temperature in the state has gone up. Responding to this, the Bihar Chief Minister had said, “Caste-based census is a legitimate demand and the need of the hour. It is pro-development and will help policy makers to formulate welfare policies for backward castes.” “We will hold an all-party meeting on this issue in Bihar,” he said.
Now that Sushil Modi has categorically stated that it is not possible to conduct a last-minute caste census, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s reaction to it will be crucial to the developments.
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