Lagatar24 Desk
Thiruvananthapuram: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has issued a stern warning against using the caste census as a tool for political gain. Speaking at its Kerala conference on Monday, the RSS stressed that the caste census, which has become a central election issue for the Congress-led INDIA bloc and even some BJP allies, is a highly sensitive matter that requires careful handling and should not be exploited for electoral purposes.
During the first day of a three-day coordination meeting in Palakkad district, RSS Chief Spokesperson Sunil Ambekar addressed the media, underscoring the organization’s position. “We have already commented that this is a sensitive issue of caste and caste relations, and it should be dealt with very seriously. This is not just for election campaigning,” Ambekar stated, emphasizing that the issue needs to be approached with gravity.
Ambekar acknowledged the importance of collecting data, particularly when it is required for welfare purposes. “If the government needs the numbers, there is no problem, but it should be solely for welfare purposes and not used as a political tool. We draw the line there,” he added, making it clear that the RSS opposes the politicization of the caste census.
The demand for a nationwide caste census has been a recurring theme in recent election manifestos, particularly from opposition leaders like Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav. Last week, Gandhi reiterated the necessity of such a census, calling it a crucial instrument for effective policy-making and achieving social equity. “We cannot make policies for India’s reality without a caste census,” Gandhi asserted, emphasizing the need for accurate data on the demographic composition of the country.
The call for a caste census has gained momentum following the release of a statewide survey by Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United) last year. The survey highlighted the sharp social divide in the state, revealing that over 80 percent of Bihar’s population belongs to extremely backward classes. The RSS, while cautiously welcoming any scientific exercise aimed at addressing social disparities, has maintained that such initiatives should not be driven by electoral motives.
The BJP has also taken a measured stance on the issue. In April, BJP Chief JP Nadda stated that his party is “not against conducting a caste census” but stopped short of providing a roadmap for its implementation. Nadda criticized the opposition’s push for a caste census, accusing them of attempting to divide the country along caste lines.
The subject has also caused some unease within the BJP’s ruling alliance. Union Minister Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, both BJP allies, have expressed their support for the caste census. The growing support from within the alliance underscores the delicate balancing act the BJP must perform as it navigates this contentious issue.
As the debate over the caste census continues to intensify, the RSS’s latest comments highlight the need for a cautious and responsible approach to this sensitive topic, ensuring that it is used for the welfare of all communities rather than as a tool for political maneuvering.
