Congress Questions Delay in Caste Census, Targets PM Over ‘Silence and Shift’

A year after the Union government announced that caste enumeration would be included in India’s upcoming census, the issue has once again turned into a sharp political flashpoint, with the Congress accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of deliberately slowing down the process.

Raising the issue on Thursday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that despite the announcement made exactly a year ago, there is still no clarity on how the caste census will be conducted . According to him, the absence of a clear roadmap, consultation, or public communication reflects a lack of intent rather than mere administrative delay .

The Congress has framed the issue as not just a bureaucratic gap, but a question of political credibility . Ramesh traced what he described as a “dramatic shift” in the government’s stance. He recalled that in 2021 , the Centre had clearly stated in Parliament that it would not conduct caste-wise enumeration , a position later reinforced in an affidavit before the Supreme Court .

However, the narrative appeared to change in April 2025, when the Prime Minister announced that caste enumeration would be part of the next census exercise. For the Congress, this reversal raised expectations of a transparent plan and clear execution strategy . Instead, they argue, the silence that followed has only deepened doubts.

All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the Prime Minister in both 2023 and 2025, urging the government to conduct an updated caste census . The party now claims that these communications were not even acknowledged , further reinforcing its concerns.

Another major point of contention is the lack of consultation . The opposition has criticised the government for not initiating any structured dialogue with state governments, political stakeholders, or subject experts, calling it essential for such a complex and sensitive exercise.

The Congress has also questioned the Prime Minister’s earlier remarks criticising the demand for a caste census. The party says the shift in position now demands a clear explanation to the people of India .

Beyond the political exchange, the debate over caste census carries wider social and policy implications . Supporters argue that updated caste data is crucial for targeted welfare policies and fair representation, while critics warn it could risk deepening social divisions.