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Staff Reporter/ New Delhi

In response to Rahul Gandhi’s persistent demand for a caste census, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming general census. However, the government has not yet announced a rollout date.

Addressing the media, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “Congress governments have historically opposed caste-based censuses. In fact, caste was excluded from all census exercises conducted since independence.”

The Minister further noted that in 2010, the UPA government under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had assured the Lok Sabha that the issue of a caste census would be considered by the Cabinet. However, it ultimately opted for a survey instead of a formal caste census.

He emphasized that, under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, census is a subject under the Union List (Item 69 of the Seventh Schedule), making it the sole responsibility of the central government.

Vaishnaw also pointed out that some states have independently carried out caste surveys. While a few states conducted them effectively, others pursued them in a politically motivated and non-transparent manner.

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