Jairam Ramesh Slams PM Modi Over Sudden Shift on Caste Census, Accuses Government of Political Opportunism
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him and his government of taking a sudden and politically motivated U-turn on the issue of conducting a caste census in India.
Ramesh described the shift in stance as “sudden, complete, and desperate,” alleging that the decision reflects the Modi-led government’s inclination to alter long-held positions when politically expedient.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Ramesh posted a detailed note in which he criticized the Prime Minister’s recent endorsement of a caste-based population enumeration — a move that marks a dramatic departure from the government’s previously stated position.
“Evidence abounds on Mr. Modi’s sudden, complete, and desperate U-turn on the caste census,” Ramesh wrote. To support his claim, the Congress leader cited a series of past statements and policy decisions made by the BJP-led Centre that directly contradict its current stance.
One of the most striking examples Ramesh pointed out was a televised interview given by Prime Minister Modi as recently as April 28, 2024. During this interview, the Prime Minister reportedly dismissed those advocating for a caste census, labeling them “urban Naxals” — a term often used to delegitimize left-leaning intellectuals or critics.
This, Ramesh argued, highlights how rapidly and dramatically the government’s narrative has shifted.
Further, the Congress leader recalled the government’s official position articulated in Parliament just a few years ago. On July 20, 2021, the Modi government clearly stated that it had no intention of conducting a caste-wise enumeration in the upcoming census, aside from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
“It had ‘decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in the Census,’” Ramesh quoted from the government’s statement at the time.
In addition to statements made in Parliament, Ramesh cited a legal affidavit filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court on September 21, 2021.
The affidavit reinforced the government’s earlier position and warned the judiciary not to intervene in the matter. It clearly stated that the exclusion of caste information — other than for SCs and STs — was a “conscious policy decision” taken by the government.
“The Modi government not only refused to conduct a caste census but also urged the Supreme Court not to issue any directive requiring one for Other Backward Classes (OBCs),” Ramesh said, emphasizing the consistency of the government’s earlier opposition.
In light of this dramatic policy shift, Ramesh posed three pointed questions to the Prime Minister. First, he asked whether Modi would publicly acknowledge the change in government policy over the past eleven years. Second, he sought an explanation for the reasons behind this reversal.
Finally, Ramesh demanded that the Prime Minister commit to a clear and concrete timeline for carrying out the caste census.
The Congress party has consistently called for the caste census to be conducted and has renewed its demand in light of the government’s latest announcement.
On Friday, the party urged the Centre to announce a well-defined roadmap detailing each stage of the survey process. It also reiterated its demand to lift the “arbitrary” 50% cap on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs — a ceiling that the party argues limits genuine social justice.
In a significant policy reversal, the Centre announced on Wednesday that the next national population census will, for the first time since Independence, include caste-based details.
This marks a historic shift from the long-standing practice of omitting caste data (other than for SCs and STs) from national enumerations.
The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931 during British rule. While a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was carried out in 2011, the caste data was never released to the public.
The current announcement, therefore, is seen as a potentially transformative step in shaping future policies on social justice, affirmative action, and resource allocation.
Analysts believe the government’s change in position may be driven by political calculations, particularly in the context of growing demands from regional parties and sections of civil society for better representation of OBCs and other marginalized communities.
As elections loom on the horizon, the decision to incorporate caste data into the census could be aimed at responding to these demands and strengthening the BJP’s electoral prospects among OBC voters — a significant demographic in Indian politics.
As the debate around the caste census intensifies, the government now faces pressure to clarify its policy objectives, address concerns of transparency, and provide a timeline for implementation.
Meanwhile, the opposition — led by the Congress — continues to press for accountability, urging the Centre to ensure the process is conducted in a fair, scientific, and timely manner.
