Sachin Pilot slams BJP for caste census delay, citing Telangana’s transparent model

Congress leader criticizes the ruling party for its minimal budget allocation and delayed action, urging a nationwide approach that emulates Telangana's effective caste survey

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot has sharply criticized the BJP-led Union government for its apparent reluctance and delay in carrying out a caste-based census. He argues that postponing the census is a deliberate tactic to avoid addressing long-standing demands for social justice and inclusive policymaking.

At a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Pilot highlighted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s persistent call for a comprehensive caste census. According to Pilot, Rahul Gandhi has referred to the census as an “X-ray of the nation,” emphasizing its importance for obtaining precise data on the population of every caste, their geographical spread, and their social, economic, and educational conditions.

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Pilot stressed that without reliable and updated caste data, policies designed to uplift marginalized communities fall short. He explained that accurate information is essential to evaluate whether government schemes are truly benefiting these communities, helping to identify both successes and areas of failure.

Criticizing the BJP’s changing stance on the issue, Pilot recalled that the party initially ridiculed the demand. He noted that Prime Minister Modi even went as far as to label proponents of the census as “urban Naxals” in Parliament. However, after sustained political and public pressure, the government eventually acknowledged the need for a caste census, albeit only in theory.
Pilot also pointed out the concern regarding the census budget. While a national census typically costs between Rs 8,000–10,000 crore, the government has allocated a mere Rs 570 crore. He questioned whether this minimal budget allocation signals an intentional delay or lack of commitment.

As an example of effective execution, Pilot cited Telangana’s expert-led caste survey, which was done with support from NGOs and academics. He claimed that such a professional, transparent approach should be the benchmark for the nationwide exercise, ensuring that the data is used as a tool for justice rather than a device that deepens caste divisions.

In conclusion, Pilot called for the current political debate over the caste census to be set aside. He urged the government to clarify the reasoning behind the low budget allocation, stop the delay tactics, and conduct the census with the same integrity demonstrated by Telangana.