Congress expressed worries about the government’s handling of caste enumeration in Census 2027, citing a lack of clarity and intent. The party urged consultations with political parties, state governments, and civil society organizations before finalizing the process. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the two phases of Census 2027 and criticized the sudden decision to include caste enumeration, calling it a “complete U-turn” by the Centre.
The Modi government, which previously opposed a caste census, announced its inclusion in Census 2027 on April 30, 2025, surprising many. Ramesh pointed out the government’s past rejections of the idea, including statements in the Lok Sabha and before the Supreme Court. Despite earlier resistance, Prime Minister Modi agreed to the demand for a caste census, acknowledging pressure from various quarters.
Ramesh raised concerns about the formulation of questions in the Houselisting and Housing Census Schedule, particularly Question 12’s exclusion of OBC and General categories. He questioned the government’s intentions and commitment to a comprehensive caste census, emphasizing the need for inclusive data collection. The Congress urged the government to engage in dialogue with stakeholders to ensure a fair and thorough caste enumeration process.
