Congress' Dubious Record on Caste Census Exposed

For decades, the Congress party has claimed to champion social justice, yet its track record on the caste census reveals a starkly different reality-one marked by systemic neglect, policy paralysis, and unfulfilled promises. Since India's independence, Congress has consistently avoided conducting a comprehensive caste census, depriving the nation of crucial data. A caste census would provide vital insights into the demographic and economic status of all castes, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the general category, yet Congress chose to ignore this issue for political reasons.

Congress's Record: Decades of Silence on Caste Census

Since India's independence, Congress has consistently ignored the demand for a caste census, actively obstructing the collection of vital data on caste-based demographics. The last comprehensive caste data was gathered in 1931 under British rule, and although the 1941 Census included caste information, it was never released due to the disruptions of World War II.

When the country conducted its first Census in 1951, the Congress-led government decided to drop caste enumeration altogether, a decision that set the stage for decades of inaction on this crucial matter. This wasn't due to logistical difficulties-it was a deliberate political choice. Congress ignored the calls of regional parties representing OBCs, who had long demanded caste-based data to secure their rightful share of resources and political representation.

Despite several opportunities to rectify this injustice, Congress consistently failed to act. Time and again, the party chose to maintain the status quo, preventing backward communities from accessing the benefits and support they deserved.

UPA Era: Caste Data Suppressed, Opportunities Squandered

In 2010, with the decennial Census approaching, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to include caste data in the 2011 Census. Yet, the Congress-led government dismissed this request, citing logistical challenges and, at times, trivializing the significance of caste enumeration. Despite mounting pressure, Congress only agreed to conduct a Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) in 2011. However, this survey was held separately from the main Census, limiting its effectiveness and credibility.

Although the SECC cost taxpayers nearly Rs 5,000 crore, it failed to deliver on its promises of transparency. While socio-economic data was eventually released in 2016, caste data was conveniently withheld and remains unpublished to this day. This move by Congress denied OBCs, SCs, and STs their rightful share in the political process, further exposing the party's systemic neglect.

Karnataka's Dubious 'Survey': Far From a Caste Census

In the past three years, several non-BJP ruled states-Bihar, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh-have conducted caste surveys, yet Karnataka's approach to the issue remains highly questionable. All these states were governed by non-BJP administrations at the time the surveys were conducted.

In recent years, non-BJP states like Bihar, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh conducted caste surveys, but Karnataka's approach under the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government is troubling. The Congress government in Karnataka commissioned a 'Socio-Economic and Education Survey' back in 2015. However, despite completion, the report was buried for years, only released under pressure from Congress leadership in February 2024.

Even Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, a key Congress leader, opposed the report's release, citing fears of backlash from influential communities like the Vokkaligas and Lingayats. The delay and lack of transparency raised serious doubts about Congress's true commitment to social justice.

Rather than conducting a comprehensive and transparent caste census, Congress pushed for politically motivated surveys that serve only to deepen caste-based divisions for electoral gain.

Stop Wasting Money on Fake State-Level Surveys

Under PM Modi's government, the BJP is pushing for a proper, nationwide caste census that is transparent, inclusive, and scientific. This will finally stop the trend of random state-level surveys being commissioned by parties like Congress just to score political points.

Only a real caste census will stop state governments from wasting crores on politically motivated, incomplete surveys that go nowhere. Karnataka is a perfect example. In 2015, Congress CM Siddaramaiah conducted a "socio-economic" survey-then buried the report for nine years. Why? Because it made certain communities uncomfortable.

Congress doesn't want truth. It wants control.

How Congress Disrespected OBC, SC, and ST Leaders

Congress's treatment of backward communities has been shameful.

Sitaram Kesri, a veteran OBC leader, was thrown out of Congress headquarters to make way for Sonia Gandhi.

Virendra Patil, OBC CM, were humiliated and removed from office without dignity.

Jagjivan Ram, one of India's tallest Dalit leaders, was never allowed to rise within the Congress system.

Ambedkar, the father of the Constitution, was sidelined by the Congress and not supported during his resignation over the Hindu Code Bill.

Ram Nath Kovind, India's second Dalit President, never received a single courtesy visit from Sonia Gandhi during her tenure as Congress President-a disrespect the BJP called out, and the Congress could never explain.

When the BJP nominated Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal woman to become President of India, Congress didn't support her. Worse, Siddaramaiah referred to her using a singular pronoun, showing the level of disdain the party harbors for ST leaders.

BJP Takes Action, Congress Just Talks

Under the leadership of the PM Modi government, a national committee was appointed to explore internal reservations for Scheduled Castes, demonstrating a clear and decisive intent to address historic imbalances. This proactive approach set the tone for other states, prompting Congress-led governments like that of Telangana to follow suit. Telangana's 2024 Social, Educational, Employment, Economic Caste Survey (SEEEPC), covering 98% of the state's population, was completed in February 2025. The survey, often seen as a caste census, delved into critical areas such as education, employment, income, and social mobility. However, it is clear that BJP's proactive steps continue to set the agenda, leaving Congress governments to play catch-up.

In Karnataka, the Siddaramaiah-led government took a similar step in November 2024 by appointing Justice Nagmohan Das to head a commission on internal reservations. This followed the Supreme Court's ruling that allowed sub-classifications among SCs. Despite promises for a thorough, scientific approach, the commission's report was submitted only to be shelved, with the findings still gathering dust. Even as Siddaramaiah returned to power, the commission's recommendations, which were supposed to ensure fair distribution among 101 SC sub-communities, remain unimplemented-another example of the BJP's forward-thinking leadership in contrast to Congress's lackluster response.

The Congress Party's Controversial History with the Caste Census

The Congress party has been historically linked to controversies regarding the caste census, especially in how it handled caste data in the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). Here are some key aspects:

Initiation and Secrecy of SECC (2011): Under the Congress-led UPA government, the SECC was launched in 2011 with the intention of collecting caste data. However, the caste-specific data was never made public, which led to questions about its transparency and the party's reluctance to release this data. This secrecy sparked criticism about the real reasons for withholding the data.

Failure to Implement Recommendations: In the 1980s, the Mandal Commission recommended a 27% reservation for OBCs, based on caste census data, which was eventually implemented in 1990. While Congress supported the reservation policy, it has been criticised for not moving forward with a detailed and updated caste census that would ensure proper identification of socio-economically backward sections for affirmative action.

Lack of a Clear Policy on Caste Enumeration: Congress has historically been accused of inconsistently supporting or opposing caste-based enumeration. Although they initiated the SECC, their hesitance and failure to take concrete steps in favor of a comprehensive caste census raised concerns about their genuine commitment to caste-based welfare.

Political Expediency: Critics argue that Congress has often used the caste issue for political gain rather than for genuine policy action. For example, the delay in releasing the SECC caste data could have been due to political calculations, where the party feared the data could impact their vote bank politics.

Time to Act, Not Stall

A national caste census isn't just about numbers. It's about acknowledging social realities, addressing inequities, and ensuring that every community gets its fair share in India's growth story.

Congress had decades to act-but chose delay, secrecy, and political expediency. BJP voices are now calling for an end to this ambiguity and for a caste census that reflects the true face of India.