The Congress Working Committee vows to conduct a nationwide caste census, remove the 50% reservation cap, and expedite a 33% quota for women in legislative bodies, signaling major social justice reforms in India.
Coimbatore: In a groundbreaking resolution, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) declared that a Congress-led government would conduct a nationwide caste census as part of the pending 2021 decadal census. This move, aimed at ensuring justice for marginalized communities, involves removing the 50% cap on reservations through legislation. Additionally, the party vowed to swiftly implement the women’s reservation law, providing a 33% quota for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi emphasized the significance of the caste census, stating it was about justice, not politics. He asserted that Congress-ruled states would follow Bihar's model in conducting caste surveys. Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, branding him incapable of executing the caste census and pledged to push the BJP or any opposing party out of the way.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stressed the importance of collecting socio-economic data to ensure the rightful share of weaker sections in welfare schemes. Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), expressed her full support for the caste census.
During the closed-door meeting, some senior leaders, including Manish Tewari, Ramesh Chennithala, Deepender Hooda, and Shashi Tharoor, raised concerns while supporting the caste census. Tewari urged caution in relaxing the 50% reservation cap, citing B. R. Ambedkar's principle of equality as the rule. Chennithala argued that population numbers alone couldn't determine backwardness.
Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized the need to effectively communicate the necessity of a caste census. The CWC discussed the origins of the demand, citing its existence since the 1930s within the Congress. The resolution also welcomed Bihar's caste survey and the Justice Rohini Commission's sub-categorization of OBCs, highlighting the need for detailed socio-economic data either from the 2011 census or a fresh caste census.
Additionally, the CWC resolution condemned the targeting of journalists questioning the government and expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur, among other issues. The resolution marks a significant step toward ensuring social justice and equitable representation in India.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi emphasized the significance of the caste census, stating it was about justice, not politics. He asserted that Congress-ruled states would follow Bihar's model in conducting caste surveys. Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, branding him incapable of executing the caste census and pledged to push the BJP or any opposing party out of the way.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stressed the importance of collecting socio-economic data to ensure the rightful share of weaker sections in welfare schemes. Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), expressed her full support for the caste census.
During the closed-door meeting, some senior leaders, including Manish Tewari, Ramesh Chennithala, Deepender Hooda, and Shashi Tharoor, raised concerns while supporting the caste census. Tewari urged caution in relaxing the 50% reservation cap, citing B. R. Ambedkar's principle of equality as the rule. Chennithala argued that population numbers alone couldn't determine backwardness.
Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized the need to effectively communicate the necessity of a caste census. The CWC discussed the origins of the demand, citing its existence since the 1930s within the Congress. The resolution also welcomed Bihar's caste survey and the Justice Rohini Commission's sub-categorization of OBCs, highlighting the need for detailed socio-economic data either from the 2011 census or a fresh caste census.
Additionally, the CWC resolution condemned the targeting of journalists questioning the government and expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur, among other issues. The resolution marks a significant step toward ensuring social justice and equitable representation in India.