Tag: Caste census

  • JD(U) call for Agnipath review correct, scheme withdrawal long overdue: Sanjay Singh

    New Delhi: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday said the JD(U)’s demand for review of Agnipath scheme is “100 per cent correct” and stressed that the scheme should have been withdrawn earlier. Earlier in the day, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi told reporters here that the party has demanded a review of the Agnipath scheme, and will “pursue” the caste census issue. Speaking to PTI Videos, Singh said, “Agniveer is betrayal with Mother India and the Army. The prime minister should have withdrawn it earlier.” “Earlier a jawan was trained for a year but under this scheme (Agnipath), you reduced the training period to six months. Every youth is ready to sacrifice his or her life for the country. But you are weakening the army. This demand from JDU is 100 per cent correct,” the AAP leader added. In June 2022, the government rolled out the Agnipath recruitment scheme for short-term induction of personnel with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three armed services. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States The scheme provides for recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

  • ‘1st Step Will Be Caste Census…’: Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi Sound Poll Buggle In Uttar Pradesh |

    Congress Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday joined the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by party MP Rahul Gandhi in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. While addressing the crowd the brother-sister duo slammed the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) over various issues, some of the top ones were the caste census and paper leaks in UP Police Constable Examinations.  

    Taking a dig at the Modi government, Rahul Gandhi said that if the majority wants to have the caste census, then the first step after the election will be the caste census. “In this country there are 50% backwards, 15% minorities, 15% Dalit, and 8% Adivasi… How many of these are in media, none… You’ll see them in the list of MGNREGA but not in the big companies,” Gandhi said, adding that 90% of people don’t get any participation. 

    Slamming PM Modi for his political tactics, Rahul said that the Modi government is distracting Indians by launching gimmicks like Bollywood and surgical strikes and ignoring crucial issues like unemployment, paper leaks, and the true well-being of the citizens. He said, “This is what the BJP system is.” He further added that patriots unite the country and do not work to disintegrate it (Deshbhakt mohabbat ki dukaan kholte hain, nafrat ke bazaar nahi chalaate).  

    Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a shot at the rising unemployment rates under the BJP’s rule. “As the BJP’s government is formed in the centre and state, unemployment rates have increased,” she asserted. She linked unemployment to a lack of facilities and persistent paper leaks, making it clear that development hinges on gainful employment. She said that the brass industry is stagnant, there is no development after the BJP’s rule.  

    As the UP Police Constable examinations are scheduled for a re-examination, Priyanka Vadra said that “the 28 lakh students wrote the exam but the paper was leaked.” She said that until the paper leaks are stopped, there will be no development. She urged the voters to cast their votes based on their experiences.

  • Ajit Pawar bats for Bihar-like caste census, says govt positive about demands of Marathas, Dhangars

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday batted for a “caste census” on the lines of the one conducted in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government and said such a move will help find the exact population of all communities so that proportionate benefits can be given accordingly.

    Addressing a public meeting in Madha in Solapur, Pawar also said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha community.

    “I am of the opinion let there be a caste-based census here.The Bihar government carried it out in that state. With such an exercise, we will come to know the exact population of OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, general category etc as benefits are given as per proportion of population,” he said.

    Informing that he, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had sought details of the caste survey in Bihar, Pawar said the exercise must be carried out in Maharashtra even if it costs “some thousand crores” as it will bring a “clear picture before the public”.

    Pawar said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha and Dhangar communities, but with the emphasis that such a move must not affect the 62 per cent reservation in place (52 per cent for SCs, STs and OBCs, as well as 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Sections).

    “If reservation is given to Marathas and other communities from the existing 52 per cent, then those groups receiving benefits in this segment will be disappointed. Our efforts are to ensure quota provided above the 62 per cent at present is legally sustainable in the High Court and Supreme Court,” he said.

    Pawar said quota activist Manoj Jarange has sought Kunbi certificates for Marathas so that the latter can get benefits under the Other Backward Classes category, whereas groups from the OBC category are submitting memorandums that no other community must be included in their segment.

    He said the state government was working on the demand for providing Kunbi certificates by holding discussions with experts and noted lawyers, since any move that does not stand the test of law will make people claim the ruling dispensation cheated them.

    “The Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category, while tribals are resisting it,” said the Nationalist Congress Party leader, who joined the Shinde government on July 2 this year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday batted for a “caste census” on the lines of the one conducted in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government and said such a move will help find the exact population of all communities so that proportionate benefits can be given accordingly.

    Addressing a public meeting in Madha in Solapur, Pawar also said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha community.

    “I am of the opinion let there be a caste-based census here.The Bihar government carried it out in that state. With such an exercise, we will come to know the exact population of OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, general category etc as benefits are given as per proportion of population,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Informing that he, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had sought details of the caste survey in Bihar, Pawar said the exercise must be carried out in Maharashtra even if it costs “some thousand crores” as it will bring a “clear picture before the public”.

    Pawar said the state government was positive about quota demands of the Maratha and Dhangar communities, but with the emphasis that such a move must not affect the 62 per cent reservation in place (52 per cent for SCs, STs and OBCs, as well as 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Sections).

    “If reservation is given to Marathas and other communities from the existing 52 per cent, then those groups receiving benefits in this segment will be disappointed. Our efforts are to ensure quota provided above the 62 per cent at present is legally sustainable in the High Court and Supreme Court,” he said.

    Pawar said quota activist Manoj Jarange has sought Kunbi certificates for Marathas so that the latter can get benefits under the Other Backward Classes category, whereas groups from the OBC category are submitting memorandums that no other community must be included in their segment.

    He said the state government was working on the demand for providing Kunbi certificates by holding discussions with experts and noted lawyers, since any move that does not stand the test of law will make people claim the ruling dispensation cheated them.

    “The Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category, while tribals are resisting it,” said the Nationalist Congress Party leader, who joined the Shinde government on July 2 this year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Caste census an X-ray of country, we will force Centre to conduct it: Rahul in poll-bound MP

    By PTI

    BEOHARI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed caste census an “X-ray” of the country that will throw light on the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals, and said his party would force the Centre to conduct this exercise “come what may.”

    He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not speaking on the issue of caste census.

    “We will force the central government to conduct a caste census, come what may, to know the truth about the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals in the country. Our governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have initiated a process for it,” Gandhi said.

    He was addressing a public meeting at Beohari in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, a day after the dates for the state assembly polls were announced.

    “Caste census is an X-ray of the country. Tribals, Dalits and OBCs of the country are injured. Let us check…It will clear the picture,” he said.

    “We challenged PM Narendra Modi to release the data of the caste census done by Congress. But instead of talking about it, he talks about Pakistan, Afghanistan and South. Speak on caste census,” the former Congress president added.

    Referring to a book written by Bharatiya Janata Party’s veteran leader L K Advani, Gandhi said the book mentioned that Madhya Pradesh, not Gujarat, was the laboratory of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevan Sangh (RSS).

    “But Madhya Pradesh is a laboratory of several scams like medical treatment to deceased persons, Vyapam, mid-day meal, atrocities against tribals and women, among others,” he targeted the BJP government in the state.

    The single-phase assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh will be held on November 17.

    BEOHARI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed caste census an “X-ray” of the country that will throw light on the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals, and said his party would force the Centre to conduct this exercise “come what may.”

    He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not speaking on the issue of caste census.

    “We will force the central government to conduct a caste census, come what may, to know the truth about the condition of OBCs, Dalits and tribals in the country. Our governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have initiated a process for it,” Gandhi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He was addressing a public meeting at Beohari in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, a day after the dates for the state assembly polls were announced.

    “Caste census is an X-ray of the country. Tribals, Dalits and OBCs of the country are injured. Let us check…It will clear the picture,” he said.

    “We challenged PM Narendra Modi to release the data of the caste census done by Congress. But instead of talking about it, he talks about Pakistan, Afghanistan and South. Speak on caste census,” the former Congress president added.

    Referring to a book written by Bharatiya Janata Party’s veteran leader L K Advani, Gandhi said the book mentioned that Madhya Pradesh, not Gujarat, was the laboratory of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevan Sangh (RSS).

    “But Madhya Pradesh is a laboratory of several scams like medical treatment to deceased persons, Vyapam, mid-day meal, atrocities against tribals and women, among others,” he targeted the BJP government in the state.

    The single-phase assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh will be held on November 17.

  • At presser, Rahul seeks show of hands on Dalit, OBC journalists present to highlight deprivation of weaker sections 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked for a show of hands from journalists at a press conference to know how many of them were Dalits and OBCs to make a point that people from weaker sections were not getting their share in the country’s assets and institutions.

    Addressing the press conference after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Gandhi said the party’s working committee has taken a “historic decision” unanimously to support the idea of a nationwide caste census, asserting that it is a “powerful step” for the emancipation of the poor.

    In response to a question, Gandhi said the Congress is asking what is the share of Dalits, tribals and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the country’s assets and institutions.

    “I will ask you how many Dalits are there in this room, look at this, how many OBCs are there in the room, raise their hands and see…there’s a cameraman, I am not talking about you, I am talking about you (gesturing towards journalists),” the former Congress chief said.

    “This is the question, how many Dalits, tribals and OBCs are there in institutions, what is their wealth, share in assets and their population,” he said.

    He also slammed the BJP’s criticism of the Congress over its caste census demand and said, “We are asking how many poor people are there in the country. So this (BJP criticism) is just about distraction.”

    Flanked by the party’s chief ministers in four states, Gandhi also said the decision of the CWC to support a caste census is a “very progressive” and “powerful” step for the emancipation of poor people.

    Talking about the idea of caste census, the former Congress chief said this ‘X-ray’ is needed for a new paradigm and development in the country.

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked for a show of hands from journalists at a press conference to know how many of them were Dalits and OBCs to make a point that people from weaker sections were not getting their share in the country’s assets and institutions.

    Addressing the press conference after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Gandhi said the party’s working committee has taken a “historic decision” unanimously to support the idea of a nationwide caste census, asserting that it is a “powerful step” for the emancipation of the poor.

    In response to a question, Gandhi said the Congress is asking what is the share of Dalits, tribals and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the country’s assets and institutions.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “I will ask you how many Dalits are there in this room, look at this, how many OBCs are there in the room, raise their hands and see…there’s a cameraman, I am not talking about you, I am talking about you (gesturing towards journalists),” the former Congress chief said.

    “This is the question, how many Dalits, tribals and OBCs are there in institutions, what is their wealth, share in assets and their population,” he said.

    He also slammed the BJP’s criticism of the Congress over its caste census demand and said, “We are asking how many poor people are there in the country. So this (BJP criticism) is just about distraction.”

    Flanked by the party’s chief ministers in four states, Gandhi also said the decision of the CWC to support a caste census is a “very progressive” and “powerful” step for the emancipation of poor people.

    Talking about the idea of caste census, the former Congress chief said this ‘X-ray’ is needed for a new paradigm and development in the country.

  • Congress MP Gogoi pushes for caste census in Assam on lines of Bihar, Rajasthan

    By ANI

    GUWAHATI: Following Bihar and Rajasthan, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday pushed for a similar caste-based census in Assam so that all backward communities in the state receive “dignity” and “justice”.

    “Yesterday I was at a function organised by a prominent Tai Ahom youth organisation. I demanded a caste census in Assam on the lines of the Bihar and Rajasthan model. We need to ensure that the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities receive dignity and justice,” Gogoi said in a post on ‘X’.

    Gogoi also shared a post by the Assam Congress which had a video of him pushing for a caste-based census in the state while giving a public speech at General Field in Assam’s Golaghat.

    “MP @GauravGogoiAsm dangoria delivered an inspiring & invigorating speech at “General Field”, Golaghat on the occasion of 7th annual convention of TAIPA central committee,” the Assam Congress said in a post on ‘X’.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday announced that the state will conduct a caste-based census like in Bihar. Gehlot spoke to the media after a state party meeting in Jaipur on Friday.

    “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same. Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept that there should be participation of the people as per their population. Instructions will be given to conducting caste-based census on the lines of Bihar,” CM Gehlot said.

    The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released on October 2 by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government. The Congress is an ally of the government in Bihar.

    ALSO READ | Caste census will not divide society: Siddaramaiah

    Asserting the importance of a Caste-based census, Ashok Gehlot said, “When we talk about social security, it can be implemented only when we know what the situation is caste-wise. There are different castes living in the country who do different jobs, when we know how much population each caste has, then we can make special schemes for them.”

    Earlier in Chhattisgarh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday asserted if Congress is re-elected to power in the state, a caste census will be conducted in the state, similar to the one carried out in Bihar. 

    GUWAHATI: Following Bihar and Rajasthan, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday pushed for a similar caste-based census in Assam so that all backward communities in the state receive “dignity” and “justice”.

    “Yesterday I was at a function organised by a prominent Tai Ahom youth organisation. I demanded a caste census in Assam on the lines of the Bihar and Rajasthan model. We need to ensure that the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities receive dignity and justice,” Gogoi said in a post on ‘X’.

    Gogoi also shared a post by the Assam Congress which had a video of him pushing for a caste-based census in the state while giving a public speech at General Field in Assam’s Golaghat.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “MP @GauravGogoiAsm dangoria delivered an inspiring & invigorating speech at “General Field”, Golaghat on the occasion of 7th annual convention of TAIPA central committee,” the Assam Congress said in a post on ‘X’.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday announced that the state will conduct a caste-based census like in Bihar. Gehlot spoke to the media after a state party meeting in Jaipur on Friday.

    “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same. Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept that there should be participation of the people as per their population. Instructions will be given to conducting caste-based census on the lines of Bihar,” CM Gehlot said.

    The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released on October 2 by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government. The Congress is an ally of the government in Bihar.

    ALSO READ | Caste census will not divide society: Siddaramaiah

    Asserting the importance of a Caste-based census, Ashok Gehlot said, “When we talk about social security, it can be implemented only when we know what the situation is caste-wise. There are different castes living in the country who do different jobs, when we know how much population each caste has, then we can make special schemes for them.”

    Earlier in Chhattisgarh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday asserted if Congress is re-elected to power in the state, a caste census will be conducted in the state, similar to the one carried out in Bihar. 

  • Priyanka Gandhi promises caste survey in Chhattisgarh if Congress retains power after polls

    By PTI

    KANKER: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said if her party retains power in Chhattisgarh after the upcoming assembly polls, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.

    Addressing ‘Nagariya Nikaay Evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammlen’, an event of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, she also promised 10 lakh houses for the poor if her party gets elected again in the polls due by the year-end.

    Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Gandhi alleged it is for the rich and has no concern for the poor or the middle class.

    “If the Congress party is once again elected to power in Chhattisgarh, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a caste survey conducted in Bihar. I have spoken to (Chief Minister Bhupesh) Baghel ji in this regard,” she said.

    Citing results of Bihar’s caste survey, Gandhi said 84 per cent of the population of that state comprises people belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

    “Is the strength of people belonging to OBC, SC, ST communities in top posts 84 per cent? Don’t they have rights? Why can’t there be a caste census? It must be carried out,” she said.

    ALSO READ | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar

    The ruling party’s announcement is being seen as a major move to woo Other Backward Classes (OBC), who account for about 45 per cent of the state’s population, in run up to the polls.

    Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said guarantees given by him are just hollow promises.

    “What happened to Modi’s guarantee of depositing Rs 15 lakh into bank accounts of every citizen and of generating crores of jobs? Whenever a question is asked, Modi ji gives a new guarantee. His guarantees are hollow guarantees,” she said.

    Gandhi said the BJP-led government at the Centre has weakened farmers in the country.

    Farmers in the country are earning just Rs 27 per day, while Adani and other industrialists are making Rs 1,600 crore per day, she said.

    “They (BJP) just want the country’s assets to be handed over to their industrialists friends and then divert them (assets/money) through them to the party. And then they keep on spending (money) in elections. Their only aim is to remain in power, not the welfare of people,” Gandhi alleged.

    Gandhi claimed the PM had procured two aircraft cost Rs 8,000 crore each, and had spent Rs 20,000 core on the new Parliament building as well as Rs 27,000 crore for the Yashobhoomi (international convention) complex.

    “But when you talk about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), he says there is no money. There is money for industrialists friends but not for you (citizens). Do you want such a CM (in the state) who takes your assets and gives you nothing? The BJP government is for the rich and is not concerned about the poor and middle class,” she told the gathering.

    Gandhi said the BJP misleads people with religion and issues linked to public sentiments when topics like OPS and caste census are discussed, adding the party’s only aim was to hold on to power and not welfare of citizens.

    She said her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, her father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had been in constant touch with the people of Bastar, due to which a relationship was established between them.

    The Bhupesh Baghel government is taking forward this tradition and legacy (of engaging with people of Bastar to bring about development of the region), Gandhi said.

    She hit out at the previous Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh (2003-2018) and claimed there was rule of violence in the state during the BJP regime.

    After coming to power five years ago, the Congress pulled the Naxalite-affected state out of the clutches of violence, Gandhi said.

    She said the Baghel government has worked for the welfare of the poor, backwards, tribals and women, adding it was the Congress which brought in 33 per cent reservation for women in panchayat bodies as well as MNREGA.

    The powers of panchayats have been curtailed in BJP-ruled states, while Congress governments are working to empower people by ensuring their rights, Gandhi said.

    In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government has implemented Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and given powers to people and strengthened democracy, she added.

    “When you assess state governments of our party and BJP, you will understand what the Congress governments have been doing. You will see a lot of difference between Congress-ruled states and those (BJP-ruled) states. Our government has fulfilled its promises,” she told the gathering.

    The PM says farmers of Chhattisgarh are getting maximum return for paddy because of him, which shows his intention of wanting to take credit for the state government’s work, Gandhi claimed.

    “I want to ask the PM why farmers in his (Lok Sabha) constituency Varanasi are getting Rs 1200-Rs 1400 (per quintal) for paddy,” Gandhi said.

    KANKER: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said if her party retains power in Chhattisgarh after the upcoming assembly polls, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.

    Addressing ‘Nagariya Nikaay Evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammlen’, an event of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, she also promised 10 lakh houses for the poor if her party gets elected again in the polls due by the year-end.

    Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Gandhi alleged it is for the rich and has no concern for the poor or the middle class.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “If the Congress party is once again elected to power in Chhattisgarh, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a caste survey conducted in Bihar. I have spoken to (Chief Minister Bhupesh) Baghel ji in this regard,” she said.

    Citing results of Bihar’s caste survey, Gandhi said 84 per cent of the population of that state comprises people belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

    “Is the strength of people belonging to OBC, SC, ST communities in top posts 84 per cent? Don’t they have rights? Why can’t there be a caste census? It must be carried out,” she said.

    ALSO READ | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar

    The ruling party’s announcement is being seen as a major move to woo Other Backward Classes (OBC), who account for about 45 per cent of the state’s population, in run up to the polls.

    Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said guarantees given by him are just hollow promises.

    “What happened to Modi’s guarantee of depositing Rs 15 lakh into bank accounts of every citizen and of generating crores of jobs? Whenever a question is asked, Modi ji gives a new guarantee. His guarantees are hollow guarantees,” she said.

    Gandhi said the BJP-led government at the Centre has weakened farmers in the country.

    Farmers in the country are earning just Rs 27 per day, while Adani and other industrialists are making Rs 1,600 crore per day, she said.

    “They (BJP) just want the country’s assets to be handed over to their industrialists friends and then divert them (assets/money) through them to the party. And then they keep on spending (money) in elections. Their only aim is to remain in power, not the welfare of people,” Gandhi alleged.

    Gandhi claimed the PM had procured two aircraft cost Rs 8,000 crore each, and had spent Rs 20,000 core on the new Parliament building as well as Rs 27,000 crore for the Yashobhoomi (international convention) complex.

    “But when you talk about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), he says there is no money. There is money for industrialists friends but not for you (citizens). Do you want such a CM (in the state) who takes your assets and gives you nothing? The BJP government is for the rich and is not concerned about the poor and middle class,” she told the gathering.

    Gandhi said the BJP misleads people with religion and issues linked to public sentiments when topics like OPS and caste census are discussed, adding the party’s only aim was to hold on to power and not welfare of citizens.

    She said her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, her father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had been in constant touch with the people of Bastar, due to which a relationship was established between them.

    The Bhupesh Baghel government is taking forward this tradition and legacy (of engaging with people of Bastar to bring about development of the region), Gandhi said.

    She hit out at the previous Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh (2003-2018) and claimed there was rule of violence in the state during the BJP regime.

    After coming to power five years ago, the Congress pulled the Naxalite-affected state out of the clutches of violence, Gandhi said.

    She said the Baghel government has worked for the welfare of the poor, backwards, tribals and women, adding it was the Congress which brought in 33 per cent reservation for women in panchayat bodies as well as MNREGA.

    The powers of panchayats have been curtailed in BJP-ruled states, while Congress governments are working to empower people by ensuring their rights, Gandhi said.

    In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government has implemented Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and given powers to people and strengthened democracy, she added.

    “When you assess state governments of our party and BJP, you will understand what the Congress governments have been doing. You will see a lot of difference between Congress-ruled states and those (BJP-ruled) states. Our government has fulfilled its promises,” she told the gathering.

    The PM says farmers of Chhattisgarh are getting maximum return for paddy because of him, which shows his intention of wanting to take credit for the state government’s work, Gandhi claimed.

    “I want to ask the PM why farmers in his (Lok Sabha) constituency Varanasi are getting Rs 1200-Rs 1400 (per quintal) for paddy,” Gandhi said.

  • Bihar caste census galvanises opposition and BJP allies to demand similar exercise in UP

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The results of Bihar’s caste survey announced on Monday galvanised both the opposition parties and the BJP allies alike in UP to reiterate their demand for a similar exercises in the country’s politically most crucial state.

    In Uttar Pradesh — where the Mandal Commission report in 1990 had led to a major political churn aiding the rise of regional satraps Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party – the caste census is set to decide the future course of the state’s politics.

    Bahujan Samaj Party chief and four-time UP CM Mayawati on Tuesday said the caste-based census in Bihar was the first step towards ensuring constitutional rights to other backward classes (OBCs).

    Demanding a similar exercise in Uttar Pradesh, she said: “The findings of the caste census in Bihar may be making some parties uncomfortable, but for the BSP, it is the first step in the long struggle for ensuring the constitutional rights of OBCs,” she posted on X.

    Demanding that the UP government commence the caste-based census immediately, Mayawati said the “right solution”, however, would be that the BJP-led central government conducts the exercise at the national level.

    The BSP chief said her party was happy that India’s politics was taking a new turn in favour of the neglected ‘Bahujan Samaj’. She said the new development had rendered what she called “extreme anti-caste and anti-Mandal” sections, worried for their future.

    ALSO READ | Caste census: Singhvi strikes discordant note on Congress’ pitch for ‘jitni abaadi, utna haq’

    Mayawati’s regional rival and UP’s main opposition party Samajwadi Party’s chief Akhilesh Yadav also demanded a similar exercise at the national level.

    “Bihar caste-based census published: This is the mathematical basis of social justice. The caste census will not open a new path of 85-15 conflict but of cooperation and those who are not domineering but are supporters of everyone’s rights, they support and welcome it. Those who really want to get the rights, get the caste census done. The BJP government should leave politics and conduct a nationwide caste census,” he had posted on X.

    Even SP allies including Jayant Chaudhury led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Apna Dal (K) – also echoed the same sentiment.

    “The caste census is a must in UP as well to ensure correct share of various castes in various government schemes,” RLD state president Ramashish Rai said. “We demand the UP government immediately order a caste census now when the Bihar government has even released the report.”

    The UP Congress leader and former chief of UPCC Ajay Kumar Lallu said the Bihar survey results had vindicated the Opposition bloc’s stance.

    Even three of the BJP allies, having their bastions in eastern Uttar Pradesh, demanded a caste count in India’s most-populous state, just months before the 2024 general elections.

    These allies — the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) the Nishad Party and the Apna Dal (Sonelal) — are given weight because they control crucial backward caste groups — Rajbhars back the SBSP, boatmen and fishermen support the Nishad Party and Kurmis vote for the Apna Dal (Sonelal) — that are key to winning at least 20 to 25 seats on offer in eastern UP.

    While Apna Dal (S) leader and Union minister Anupriya Patel, a Lok Sabha MP from Mirzapur, backed the exercise of caste census saying she had raised the issues in Parliament as well, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar welcomed Bihar’s move saying one must ask whether those castes, which had emerged as most backward and whose numbers were high too in their survey, had actually benefited over the years in state, which for the last three decades had mostly been ruled either by Lalu Prasad’s RJD or Nitish Kumar’s JD (U).

    Meanwhile, the ruling BJP sought to counter Bihar’s caste census move by highlighting the developmental work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “In Uttar Pradesh everyone is getting their rights and respect,” said BJP’s UP other backward classes (OBC) wing chief and backward welfare minister Narendra Kashyap.

    “My department’s budget that used to be around Rs 500 crore earlier has gone up under Yogi Adityanathji’s government manifold and currently is pegged at Rs 2,300 crore…That is why the issue of caste census isn’t getting much attention as OBCs have benefited under our government like never before,” Kashyap added.

    LUCKNOW: The results of Bihar’s caste survey announced on Monday galvanised both the opposition parties and the BJP allies alike in UP to reiterate their demand for a similar exercises in the country’s politically most crucial state.

    In Uttar Pradesh — where the Mandal Commission report in 1990 had led to a major political churn aiding the rise of regional satraps Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party – the caste census is set to decide the future course of the state’s politics.

    Bahujan Samaj Party chief and four-time UP CM Mayawati on Tuesday said the caste-based census in Bihar was the first step towards ensuring constitutional rights to other backward classes (OBCs).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Demanding a similar exercise in Uttar Pradesh, she said: “The findings of the caste census in Bihar may be making some parties uncomfortable, but for the BSP, it is the first step in the long struggle for ensuring the constitutional rights of OBCs,” she posted on X.

    Demanding that the UP government commence the caste-based census immediately, Mayawati said the “right solution”, however, would be that the BJP-led central government conducts the exercise at the national level.

    The BSP chief said her party was happy that India’s politics was taking a new turn in favour of the neglected ‘Bahujan Samaj’. She said the new development had rendered what she called “extreme anti-caste and anti-Mandal” sections, worried for their future.

    ALSO READ | Caste census: Singhvi strikes discordant note on Congress’ pitch for ‘jitni abaadi, utna haq’

    Mayawati’s regional rival and UP’s main opposition party Samajwadi Party’s chief Akhilesh Yadav also demanded a similar exercise at the national level.

    “Bihar caste-based census published: This is the mathematical basis of social justice. The caste census will not open a new path of 85-15 conflict but of cooperation and those who are not domineering but are supporters of everyone’s rights, they support and welcome it. Those who really want to get the rights, get the caste census done. The BJP government should leave politics and conduct a nationwide caste census,” he had posted on X.

    Even SP allies including Jayant Chaudhury led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Apna Dal (K) – also echoed the same sentiment.

    “The caste census is a must in UP as well to ensure correct share of various castes in various government schemes,” RLD state president Ramashish Rai said. “We demand the UP government immediately order a caste census now when the Bihar government has even released the report.”

    The UP Congress leader and former chief of UPCC Ajay Kumar Lallu said the Bihar survey results had vindicated the Opposition bloc’s stance.

    Even three of the BJP allies, having their bastions in eastern Uttar Pradesh, demanded a caste count in India’s most-populous state, just months before the 2024 general elections.

    These allies — the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) the Nishad Party and the Apna Dal (Sonelal) — are given weight because they control crucial backward caste groups — Rajbhars back the SBSP, boatmen and fishermen support the Nishad Party and Kurmis vote for the Apna Dal (Sonelal) — that are key to winning at least 20 to 25 seats on offer in eastern UP.

    While Apna Dal (S) leader and Union minister Anupriya Patel, a Lok Sabha MP from Mirzapur, backed the exercise of caste census saying she had raised the issues in Parliament as well, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar welcomed Bihar’s move saying one must ask whether those castes, which had emerged as most backward and whose numbers were high too in their survey, had actually benefited over the years in state, which for the last three decades had mostly been ruled either by Lalu Prasad’s RJD or Nitish Kumar’s JD (U).

    Meanwhile, the ruling BJP sought to counter Bihar’s caste census move by highlighting the developmental work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “In Uttar Pradesh everyone is getting their rights and respect,” said BJP’s UP other backward classes (OBC) wing chief and backward welfare minister Narendra Kashyap.

    “My department’s budget that used to be around Rs 500 crore earlier has gone up under Yogi Adityanathji’s government manifold and currently is pegged at Rs 2,300 crore…That is why the issue of caste census isn’t getting much attention as OBCs have benefited under our government like never before,” Kashyap added.

  • OBCs and EBCs form nearly two-thirds of Bihar population, caste survey reveals

    By PTI

    PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

    According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.

    The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.

    Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

    Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.

    The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).

    Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.

    He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”

    RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.

    Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.

    Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

    The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.

    Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.

    The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.

    The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.

    However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.

    Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.

    PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

    According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.

    The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

    Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.

    The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).

    Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.

    He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”

    RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.

    Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.

    Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

    The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.

    Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.

    The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.

    The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.

    However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.

    Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.

  • Patna high court gives clearance to a caste-based survey in Bihar

    By Express News Service

    PATNA: The Patna high court on Tuesday dismissed all five PIL pleas challenging the decision of the Bihar government to conduct a caste-based survey in the state. The order came as a major relief for the state government as it is likely to resume the caste census. 

    After hearing a total of five PIL pleas challenging various aspects of the survey, a bench of chief justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarthy pronounced in open court that all pleas have been dismissed.

    On July 7, the court had reserved its order and fixed August 1 to pronounce its order after hearing the pleas of the petitioners.

    The Bihar government, on the other hand, had submitted before the court that 80% of the survey was complete. The first phase, which began on January 7, was a household counting exercise and it was completed by January 21.

    The second phase started on April 15, wherein the information on people’s caste and their social-economic condition was collected. The entire exercise was scheduled to end by May 2023.

    However, hearing the PIL pleas against the Bihar government’s ambitious decision, the Patna high court, on May 4, put an interim stay on it while observing that it prima facie amounts to a census that the state government has no power to carry out.

    Advocate Dinu Kumar, appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, said that they would move the Supreme Court against the order of the high court. He said the decision to move the apex court would be taken after going through the order of the high court.

    PATNA: The Patna high court on Tuesday dismissed all five PIL pleas challenging the decision of the Bihar government to conduct a caste-based survey in the state. The order came as a major relief for the state government as it is likely to resume the caste census. 

    After hearing a total of five PIL pleas challenging various aspects of the survey, a bench of chief justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarthy pronounced in open court that all pleas have been dismissed.

    On July 7, the court had reserved its order and fixed August 1 to pronounce its order after hearing the pleas of the petitioners.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Bihar government, on the other hand, had submitted before the court that 80% of the survey was complete. The first phase, which began on January 7, was a household counting exercise and it was completed by January 21.

    The second phase started on April 15, wherein the information on people’s caste and their social-economic condition was collected. The entire exercise was scheduled to end by May 2023.

    However, hearing the PIL pleas against the Bihar government’s ambitious decision, the Patna high court, on May 4, put an interim stay on it while observing that it prima facie amounts to a census that the state government has no power to carry out.

    Advocate Dinu Kumar, appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, said that they would move the Supreme Court against the order of the high court. He said the decision to move the apex court would be taken after going through the order of the high court.