PMK's S Ramadoss Urges PM Narendra Modi to order enumeration of caste data in 2021 census

CHENNAI: PMK founder S. Ramadoss has urged the Union govt to enumerate caste data in the 2021 census to be undertaken in the next few months.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramadoss said all reservations in India are based on the 1931 census, which is nearly a century old. The caste-wise census is paramount to counter the cases filed against reservation.
This has been repeatedly emphasised by the Supreme Court and the High Courts of various states, he said.
“If caste-wise census is properly conducted and proportionality between seat reservation and caste-wise population is not proved, the quantum of reservation may be reduced in many states including Tamil Nadu. If that happens, it will be a huge setback to social justice in India,” he said, adding that his party PMK has been demanding caste-wise census for several decades inside and outside Parliament.
He pointed out that the UPA II govt agreed to enumerate caste in the census 2011. But it was converted into a caste, socio-economic survey and the details have not been disclosed till date.
He said the demand has been emphasised after the BJP-led NDA govt assumed charge in 2014. The Union home minister in the first cabinet, Rajnath Singh, announced in August 2018 that details of other backward classes (OBCs) will also be collected during the 2021 census for the first time in independent India after a consultation with the ministry officials. It was a welcome move.
Census 2021 was expected to start in April 2020, but it was not conducted due to the Corona pandemic. The census, which has been delayed for more than five years, has been announced to begin by the end of this year.
Union home minister Amit Shah did not deny the possibility of collecting caste data and replied that the Union govt’s decision will be announced soon, which has strengthened PMK’s confidence, he said.
“The central govt should come forward to conduct a caste-wise census in India, which has not been conducted for the last 93 years since 1931. Most of India's national parties and state parties support a caste-wise census. There is no problem in conducting the census 2021 as a caste-wise census; there is no barrier. It is sufficient to add only one category, caste, to the statistics collected for the regular census. There is no additional cost for this. On the contrary, the social justice benefits to the country and the people of the country due to the collection of caste-wise demographic data are limitless,” Ramadoss said.
Ramadoss believed that Modi, as a representative of a backward community occupying the Prime Minister’s post, will be fully aware of the need for and importance of a caste-wise census. “Therefore, as a step towards strengthening social justice in India, I request you to give the historic order to enumerate caste in the census 2021,” he said.