DyCM reiterates caste enumeration concerns

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has raised serious concerns over the caste census approach proposed by the central government, questioning its ability to truly address social inequalities. He argues that unless the method for collecting caste details is made more precise, the exercise may fall short of its goal of ensuring justice for all.

Parameshwara emphasizes that while the intent behind the census is noble, the current approach leaves many gaps in society and fails to provide adequate opportunities to neglected communities. The Congress party, led by its general secretary Jairam Ramesh, has vehemently opposed the open-ended questions on caste in the questionnaire.

They demand that the Centre prepare a certified list of caste categories before collecting any information. The party insists that respondents should not be left to provide caste names without a standardized framework, urging the government to withdraw the existing questionnaire and prepare a new one after consultations with various stakeholders.

Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have raised their concerns through press conferences and correspondence with the Prime Minister, highlighting the importance of a well-designed caste enumeration process. The party cites the caste surveys conducted in Telangana and Bihar as potential models for ensuring accuracy and reliability in the final data.

The Congress argues that allowing respondents to enter caste names without a certified list could lead to inconsistencies in the data, ultimately undermining the purpose of the exercise. Parameshwara stresses that the ultimate success of the caste census will be determined by whether it helps to uplift communities that have been deprived of opportunities for far too long.

He questions why doubts arise about the method if it is truly the right way to conduct the census, emphasizing that the fulfillment of India's independence cannot be achieved until the rights of marginalized communities are genuinely addressed.