For 60 years said 'NO', but now congress wants caste based population survey

In a rare move, congress has asked the BJP government to conduct the impending population survey on the basis of caste and religion. The survey happens every 10 years and the congress voicing for such a move grabs all eyes. For over 60 years in power, several organizations and backward caste groups asked the then congress government to conduct the survey based on caste and religion, but the leaders were apprehensive about such a move. However, the congress of today is different and is traversing on new shoulders of power and wants to see glory in the impending 2024 Lok Saha elections. The BJP meanwhile was stubborn not to segregate the survey based on caste, but after the congress stance on the matter, the situation may be quite a pickle and will remain ambiguous till the last moment about what the BJP government decides.

The move is a prudent one and congress deserves some late praise for coming to second thoughts. The living condition and income of people in different castes and religions need to be assessed. The numbers can help us understand how different sections strive for a competitive life among their peers and who fairs better. The reservation scheme and the other myriads of government schemes can be altered according to the numbers and the deserved ones in need of these benefits from the government can be found out with ease.

During the British time, only once did the survey got conducted on a caste basis. There were repeated clamors from many caste organizations for such surveys but to no help from the congress governments. Even now, many caste organizations in Kerala are voicing for a similar pattern to be conducted in the state. In India, after a long battle and beseechment, the Bihar government started doing surveys on the basis of caste, not saving the dozens of writ petitions that went to courts to halt such practices.

The long-played myth is that the reservation scheme is misused by certain sections that are economically stable yet prefer the freebies and benefits from the government. With such a census in place, the myths or truths can be wired out before the public eyes. Meanwhile, congress now with the volte-face is championing themselves as the saviors of the backward caste in India. Politics!