A day after the Bihar government released the caste survey report, the Opposition parties have stepped up their demands for a similar exercise in Uttar Pradesh. The political parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Apna Dal have pressed for the caste-based survey in the state.
What Mayawati said on caste-based survey?
Despite opposition from several political parties, BSP chief Mayawati stated on Tuesday that the Uttar Pradesh government must conduct a caste survey immediately in order to guarantee justice for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, BJP ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) and the Congress have also called for a similar census to determine the number of distinct castes in Uttar Pradesh.
"The data of the caste census conducted by the Bihar government being made public is in the news today and intense discussions are going on about it. Some parties are definitely uncomfortable with this, but for the BSP, this is the first step in the long struggle for the constitutional rights of OBCs," Mayawati posted on 'X' (formerly known as Twitter). According to her, the BSP is pleased that the nation's political landscape is changing in a way that benefits the underrepresented "Bahujan Samaj," as a result of which even the most virulent "anti-caste" and "anti-Mandal" groups are concerned about their future.
'BJP should conduct a nationwide caste census'
After the release of the caste survey report in Bihar, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP-led Centre should leave politics aside and conduct a nationwide caste census. "Bihar caste-based census published: This is the mathematical basis of social justice. The caste census will not open a new path of 85-15 conflict but of cooperation. And those who are not domineering, but are supporters of everyone's rights, they support it and welcome it. Those who really want to guarantee rights get a caste census done. The BJP government should leave politics aside and conduct a nationwide caste census," he stated on X.
The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh further claimed that people gain self-confidence and a sense of social justice when they realize how many there are in terms of numbers. As a result, they become more united and overcome the obstacles in the way of their progress, he added. "They create new paths and end the injustices done by the powers that be and the traditional powerful people of the society. With this, the society moves on the path of equality and the country develops in an integrated manner. A caste census is the path to the country's progress," Yadav added.
Caste census is path to the country's progress: SP
"They create new paths and end the injustices done by the powers that be and the traditional powerful people of the society. With this, the society moves on the path of equality and the country develops in an integrated manner. A caste census is the path to the country's progress," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister added. The former Chief Minister further asserted that the "PDA" will now dictate the course of future politics. Notably, Yadav has coined the term "PDA" to signify "Peechda" (backwards), "Dalit" (oppressed), and "Alpsankhyak" (minority).
Apna Dal bats for caste census
Union minister and Apna Dal (S) president Anupriya Patel has also demanded a caste census and the constitution of an "OBC ministry", saying it is the need of the hour. Addressing a programme in Rae Bareli on Monday, she said her party was "always in favour of a caste census". The Apna Dal (S) is a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Caste census should be conducted across nation: Congress
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi said his party is of the view that a caste census should be conducted across the country. "The time has come to take everyone forward. Our party feels that a caste census is necessary and should be done in the entire country," he added.
Bihar caste census
According to the data released by the Bihar government, Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) together account for 63 per cent of the state’s population. Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP in Bihar has voiced dissatisfaction with the caste survey conducted by the Nitish Kumar government, stressing that it did not give an idea of the "changed social and economic realities" over the years.
The findings are likely to favour the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' which claims to represent the interests of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). The BJP, which has been generally seen as being pro-upper caste, has begun warming up to the changed political landscape, as evident from the rise of OBC leaders like Choudhary and Union minister Nityanand Rai who headed the party's state unit earlier.
(With inputs from PTI)
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