The Congress party has raised eyebrows over the central government’s latest announcement to conduct a nationwide caste census, dubbing it a “diversionary tactic” aimed at shifting focus from pressing issues. Party leaders argue that the move is more about political strategy than genuine concern for social justice.
Congress claims the timing of the announcement is so close to major elections, suggests it is designed to polarize public opinion and distract from economic distress, unemployment, and rising inflation.
Senior party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh stated, “This is not about empowerment, it’s about headlines. The government is using the caste census narrative to sidestep accountability.”
While many agree that caste-based data is crucial for effective policymaking and inclusive development, Congress believes that true commitment would have shown in earlier actions, not last-minute pre-election measures.
The party is not against the concept of a caste census per se but questions the intent and sincerity behind its sudden urgency. “If you really cared about backward communities, you wouldn’t just announce a census, you’d act on their issues,” another Congress leader added.
The move has sparked heated debate across the political spectrum, with supporters welcoming it as a step toward social equity and critics warning of its use as a political tool.
