The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, clarified on Thursday that the state has decided against organizing a “caste census”. His statement comes in response to rising demands and discussions on the topic.
Explaining the decision, the Chief Minister referenced the Indian Constitution. He pointed out, “The subject matter of census is mentioned at number 69 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.” He further added, “Census Act 1948 and Census Rules 1990 have been made by the Government of India for census work under which the work of census is done by the Government of India.”
The clarification from Adityanath was not a spontaneous comment. It came as a written reply to an official query raised by a member of the opposition, Sangram Yadav from the Samajwadi Party. When asked directly about the state government’s plans regarding a “caste census”, the Chief Minister simply stated, “No.”
The question of a “caste census” has become a significant topic in Uttar Pradesh politics recently. The Samajwadi Party, one of the major opposition parties in the state, has been at the forefront of the demand. They strongly believe that a census based on caste can provide insights that can guide state policies and schemes more effectively.
To highlight the importance they place on the issue, the Samajwadi Party had included the demand for a “caste census” in their manifesto. This document outlined their promises and plans for the 2022 state assembly elections.
The topic is not fading away anytime soon. In fact, the party intends to escalate the matter in the national political scene. The “caste census” will be a primary concern in the Samajwadi Party’s campaign strategy for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This push aligns with the new formula introduced by the party’s leader, Akhilesh Yadav. Labelled as the PDA strategy, it focuses on three major groups: Pichada (Backwards), Dalit (Dalits), and Alpsankhyak (Minorities) – primarily targeting Muslim communities.
In conclusion, while the demand for a caste-based census gains momentum in political circles, the state’s decision, as clarified by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stands firm. The Uttar Pradesh government has no plans for such a census. This position could lead to more debates and discussions, especially as political parties prepare for the next round of national elections.