Digvijay supports caste-based census | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Digvijay supports caste-based census

IANS | By, New Delhi
Aug 05, 2010 09:32 PM IST

Noting that caste is a reality in India, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh Thursday supported a caste-based census, the demand for which has been made by the opposition in parliament, with some members from the treasury benches also supporting this.

Noting that caste is a reality in India, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh Thursday supported a caste-based census, the demand for which has been made by the opposition in parliament, with some members from the treasury benches also supporting this.

HT Image
HT Image

At the same time, he said there should be a debate on whether there can be a census on the basis of economic status.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"There should be a debate on the issue among the people, including the political class," Digvijay Singh told IANS.

He said it was time to focus on who was a part of the reservation system as some castes are termed scheduled castes in some states but not in others.

"Nishad is a scheduled caste in Delhi, but not in Noida. Dhobis are scheduled castes in some states and not in the other," he added.

"Now is the time to look into the problem and take a bold stand on the issue," he said while speaking at a function to release the book "Caste-Census: Towards an Inclusive India".

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said: "If caste is the basis to give reservations, then why should there not be a census (on this basis)? It is a reality which we can't wish away. It has been accepted by all the political parties and by the constitution."

He said the caste-based census of 1931 can't now be the basis to calculate the population of a particular caste as the enumeration in that year did not cover the princely states.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On