Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke in the Lok Sabha about the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Census, addressing concerns over the delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He mentioned that the Census, initially planned for 2021, was postponed because of the pandemic’s impact on the nation’s operations.
Shah highlighted the need for recovery post-pandemic before resuming Census activities in 2024. He stated that consultations with various groups led to the decision to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming Census, emphasizing the importance of clarity in the process.
The Home Minister clarified that the Census will now include a column for caste during individual enumeration, maintaining consistency with past methodologies. Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the forward-looking decision and assured full transparency in conducting the 2026 Census with caste enumeration.
