Paswan pushes for nationwide caste census

New Delhi, NT Bureau: Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has thrown his weight behind the Opposition’s demand for a nationwide caste census, calling it crucial for the effective implementation of government schemes, ANI reported.

Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Speaking at a press conference in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Paswan reiterated his party’s long-standing support for a caste census.

“Accurate caste data is vital for the government to design and implement schemes aimed at integrating marginalized groups into the mainstream,” he said.

This comes after Paswan last week voiced opposition to the Union Public Service Commission’s plan to recruit public servants through lateral entry on a contract basis.

“For such schemes to be effective, the gover nment needs precise data on caste populations to allocate resources proportionately and to ensure these initiatives are properly targeted,” Paswan said.

His statement came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his party’s demand for a nationwide caste census. “Like the Constitution, the caste census serves as a policy framework and guide for the Congress,” Gandhi said.

“We cannot make policies in the reality of India without a caste census.” Another BJP ally from Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), has frequently demanded that a caste census be held in India.