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Tejashvi Yadav praised the Government of India’s decision to include caste data in the census, called it transformative for equality. He urged for meaningful reforms and emphasized the need for social justice and representation for the marginalized communities.
Patna:
Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtra Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashvi Yadav has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which welcomed the Center’s recent decision to include caste-based data in the National Census on Saturday.
Mr. Yadav called the move “a transformative moment in the journey of our country for equality”. He also urged the government to ensure that data leads to meaningful policy reforms.
Sharing the letter on X, Mr. Yadav wrote, “My letter to PM Narendra Modi. The decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in the journey for the equality of our country. Millions of people struggling for this census do not only wait for data but dignity, not empowerment.”
In the letter, Mr. Yadav expressed “cautious optimism” at the Center’s move, saying that the NDA government had opposed the demands of a caste census, dismissed them as divisive and unnecessary. He also alleged that the Center repeatedly disrupted Bihar when it conducted a caste survey, including resistance to officers and BJP leaders.
“Your belted decision represents an acknowledgment of the basis of demands from citizens who have long reached the margins of our society.” Mr. Yadav wrote.
Referring to the Bihar caste survey, it was revealed that OBC and EBCs account for about 63% of the population of the state, Mr. Yadav said that similar figures at the national level can shatter many myths to maintain the status quo.
He insisted that the census of the caste should not be an end in itself, but “the first step of a long journey for social justice”. The letter said, “Census data should have a comprehensive review of social security and reservation policies. Reservation will also have to rethink arbitrary hats.”
In addition, Mr. Yadav said that upcoming delimitation exercises should reflect social realities exposed by census, which ensures proportional political representation to groups of marginalized groups like OBC and EBC in state assemblies and Parliament.
The RJD leader also emphasized the need for a private sector to align with social justice goals.
He wrote, “Private sector, which has been a prominent beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain untouched by social justice. Companies have received adequate benefits, including concessional rates, power subsidy, tax exemption, infrastructure support, and various financial incentives funded by taxpayer’s money. Organizational diversifications in the private sector.”
Mr. Yadav questioned, “Will the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be limited to dusting archives like the previous several commission reports?”
He assured the Prime Minister of Bihar’s cooperation and wrote, “As a representative of Bihar, where the survey of the caste opened many eyes for the ground realities, I assure you of creative cooperation in using the findings of the census for real social change. Millions of people struggling for this sensor are not only waiting for the data, but not only the dignity, but the dignity, not the dignity,”
The Cabinet Committee on political matters chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to include caste calculations in the upcoming census.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in a media briefing after the cabinet meeting that the decision shows the commitment of the present government for the overall interests and values of the nation and society.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
