OBC Community Objects To Absence Of Separate Category In Caste Census Gazette; National OBC Federation Warns Of Protest

The Central government's recent census gazette has sparked outrage within the OBC community, who claim the absence of a distinct category for their group is sidelining their long-standing demand for a comprehensive caste enumeration. Eknath Taramale, President of the Konkan Division of the National OBC Federation, expressed disappointment over the Gazette notification, which listed 40 questions for the census but did not clearly explain how OBC communities would be identified or enumerated separately.

Taramale reminded the government that the OBC community has not been included in a separate caste-based census since 1931, and noted that the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 also did not provide the complete caste-wise data. The Central government had announced the caste census on April 30, 2025, but concerns emerged after the notification was issued on August 14, 2026.

OBC leaders are now warning that they will organize a large-scale protest at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament if their concerns are not addressed. They argue that an accurate caste-wise census is essential for evidence-based policymaking and social justice.