Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has agreed to conduct a caste-wise population count in the state following the Centre’s refusal to hold a census of castes, leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav said on Thursday after meeting the CM along with a delegation.
After the meeting, Yadav said the CM has assured that he will hold an all-party meeting within four days. “The meeting will decide how to hold the caste census and in what format,” he said. “We had sought an appointment with the CM yesterday. Today, a delegation comprising legislators of Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Left parties and the AIMIM met him,” the RJD leader said.
The Centre had refused to hold a caste census other than one meant for scheduled castes and tribes.
Yadav said the CM had earlier promised a state-specific exercise if the Centre does not agree to include other castes in the Census schedule. “Now that the Centre has made its stand clear, we told the CM that it was time to fulfil his promise,” said the RJD leader.
Yadav said opposition parties were expecting a statement on the matter during the ongoing session of the assembly, which did not happen. Replying to a question, he said, “We never doubted the chief minister’s commitment to a caste census. Both houses of the state legislature have passed unanimous resolutions, twice, in support of the demand. We met him to request that the process be expedited.”
{{/usCountry}}Yadav said opposition parties were expecting a statement on the matter during the ongoing session of the assembly, which did not happen. Replying to a question, he said, “We never doubted the chief minister’s commitment to a caste census. Both houses of the state legislature have passed unanimous resolutions, twice, in support of the demand. We met him to request that the process be expedited.”
{{/usCountry}}Citing the report of the Niti Aayog to drive home his demand for a caste census, Yadav said, “NITI Aayog report says 51% of the people are poor. We want to know who they are. No one should remain poor. A caste-based census is necessary for everyone to get benefits. No government has data and unless there is right data, there will be no proper development.”
Yadav also sought to allay fears expressed by some leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that a caste census might further sharpen the social divide.
“It should not be seen in terms of caste discrimination. Those who have been left behind in society will be benefitted from this. On the contrary, it will facilitate targeted development of the weaker sections, leading to reduced disparity and greater social harmony,” said Yadav.