BJP-led Union govt.’s sudden move to conduct caste census reeks of political expediency: T.N. CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said the “sudden move” of the BJP-led Union government to conduct caste census “reeks of political expediency” as it had come at a time when discourse on social justice was dominating the Bihar elections.

“The timing is no coincidence. The same Prime Minister, who had once accused the Opposition parties of dividing people on caste, has now yielded to the very demand he maligned repeatedly,” he said in a post on social media.

The Chief Minister said after “vain attempts” to deny and delay the much-needed caste census, the Union government finally announced that it would be conducted along with the forthcoming general census. “But key questions remain unanswered — when will the Census begin and when it will conclude,” he said.

‘Essential, not optional’

The Chief Minister said that the caste census was essential, not optional, for objective policy making, targeted welfare, and social justice. “You cannot remedy injustice without first recognising its scale,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said that the announcement was a hard-earned victory for the Tamil Nadu government and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). “We [the DMK] were the first to adopt a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, demanding caste census. We championed this cause in every forum. We reiterated this demand in every meeting with the Prime Minister and through multiple letters, consistently urging the Union government to take responsibility,” he said.

Mr. Stalin also pointed out that while others called for State-level caste surveys, the DMK stood firm that census was a Union subject. “Only the Union Government can and should deliver a legally binding caste enumeration under the Census Act. Our stand is now vindicated. Another triumph for the DMK and the India Bloc in our arduous journey, driven by the ideals of the Dravidian model, for social justice,” he said.

EPS welcomes move

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday welcomed the Union government’s decision to conduct a caste census, along with the general census. “I welcome the Central government’s decision to conduct a caste census after nearly 93 years,” Mr. Palaniswami said in a social media post, and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, he accused the DMK regime of discarding the steps taken by the previous AIADMK government to hold a caste survey in the State.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Wednesday lauded the Prime Minister for taking the decision to conduct a caste census, and highlighted that this would ensure social justice in the country. The caste census should commence as soon as possible, Dr. Ramadoss said in a statement, and added that PMK has been taking various initiatives since 1998 to make it possible.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai said that the Centre decided to conduct the caste census due to the sustained pressure exerted by the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. “This is a victory for Rahul Gandhi,” he said.

In a post on X, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said the announcement made by the Centre was “highly commendable”.

BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran and Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan also welcomed the move.