AICC leader Manikrao Thakare has accused the NDA government of conspiring to deny OBC and EBC communities their rightful representation by stalling a nationwide caste census.

  • Congress leader Manikrao Thakare claims the NDA is blocking the caste census to prevent OBC/EBC representation.
  • The party demands a new questionnaire based on the Bihar and Telangana survey models.
  • Leaders aim to break the 50% reservation cap using accurate demographic data.

In a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Manikrao Thakare claimed on Saturday that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is intentionally obstructing a nationwide caste census. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Thakare alleged that the move is designed to prevent the "true representation" of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC).

Thakare, who is the AICC in-charge for Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA have "hatched a conspiracy" to deny marginalized sections their due share in the country's socio-political landscape. He noted that the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, has consistently exposed this stance in Parliament.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the demand for a caste census is a pivotal moment in Indian electoral politics. Accurate data regarding the social, economic, and educational status of various castes could fundamentally shift the landscape of reservation policies and resource allocation in India.

The Congress leader highlighted the success of the caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana, suggesting that the Union government should adopt these proven models. He pointed out that during the 'Mahagathbandhan' tenure in Bihar, it was the pressure from Rahul Gandhi that facilitated the commencement of the state-level survey.

A caste census is not just about numbers; it is about ensuring that the most marginalized sections are integrated into the national mainstream through targeted policies.

Furthermore, Thakare criticized the government's handling of reservation limits. He mentioned that while the Bihar government attempted to raise the reservation limit to 65%, the matter faced legal hurdles due to perceived apathy from the Union Government. He suggested that the BJP-led government could have protected such laws by placing them in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Historical Background

The debate over the 50% cap on reservations in India has been a legal and political battlefield for decades. While various states have attempted to exceed this limit to accommodate growing population demands, the Supreme Court has historically maintained this threshold. A nationwide caste census could provide the empirical data necessary to challenge or reform these legal precedents.

Did You Know?: The Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was created to protect certain laws from judicial review to maintain social stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What model does Congress want for the caste census?
The party demands a new questionnaire developed with experts and political parties, mimicking the models used in Bihar and Telangana.

2. Why is the OBC/EBC representation at stake?
Congress argues that without a census, the true population and socio-economic status of these groups remain unknown, leading to inadequate policy and budget allocation.