Caste Census Row: Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Write To PM Modi, Demand Scrapping Of 'Misleading' Questionnaire

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposing the proposed caste enumeration methodology for the upcoming Census. The Congress party criticized the open-ended format that would require enumerators to record caste names exactly as provided by respondents, without a standardized list or options.

This approach could lead to inconsistent data, as the same caste may have various names, spellings, sub-castes, or regional variations across India. The Congress party specifically raised concerns about the impact on enumerating Other Backward Classes (OBCs), most backward communities, and other socially disadvantaged groups, as the questionnaire does not explicitly include the term "Backward Class".

They warned that inaccurate caste figures could affect welfare policies, including education, employment, and social justice schemes. Kharge and Gandhi called for the existing questionnaire to be scrapped and replaced with a new format, based on consultations with political parties, experts, and the public. They proposed a verified drop-down list of castes, drawing comparisons with difficulties faced in the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census.