Former chief minister and state Congress president Kamal Nath has stated that if the Congress forms the government in Madhya Pradesh, a caste-based census will be conducted. Nath made this announcement while addressing an OBC mega convention in Bhopal, where representatives from around 40 different castes were present.
Nath criticized the BJP-led state government for failing to conduct a caste-based census, suggesting that their motives would be exposed if such a census were to be carried out. He emphasized that the Congress party is committed to the welfare of OBCs and highlighted their previous contribution of introducing a 27% reservation for OBCs. Nath asserted that conducting a caste-based census would provide accurate data to inform the formulation of welfare schemes and policies in the state.
During the address, Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha also expressed his views, stating that previous BJP leaders failed to present the case properly in court. He explained that when the Congress came to power in 2019, he argued the case and successfully secured a 27% reservation for OBCs. However, when the government changed, a stay was imposed on the reservation due to the failure of the present government to present evidence in court.
It is important to note that various perspectives and opinions are crucial for a balanced view of the topic. The issue of caste-based census has been a subject of debate in India, with proponents arguing that it can help identify and address social inequalities, while opponents express concerns about potential misuse of such data. The decision to conduct a caste-based census will have implications for social policies and reservations in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Ensuring equal representation and addressing the needs of marginalized communities are significant challenges for any government. While the idea of conducting a caste-based census may have its critics, it will ultimately be up to the voters to determine the direction of the state government in future elections.
