Caste census gets centre’s nod: political reactions pour in as battle shifts to reservation, implementation.

Patna, April 30, 2025: The Centre’s landmark decision to conduct a caste census has triggered a Political churn across the spectrum, with opposition leaders calling it a victory of decades-long struggles, and ruling NDA figures hailing it as a step toward inclusive governance.

The move is being seen not just as a policy shift, but as a turning point in the country’s social and electoral equations.

Tejashwi Yadav said the caste census is just the beginning now it’s about seat reservation:

RJD leader and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said the move was a “historic victory of the social justice movement,” asserting that it validates the long-standing demands of socialist forces.

“We went from the Prime Minister to the President for his demand, but we were ignored. Now when the sound of our footsteps reached Delhi, they had to bow down,” Tejashwi said.

He emphasized that the party’s fight is far from over. “Just like there are reserved seats for Dalit and tribal communities, the backward and extremely backward must also get their due share. The next step is clear: reservation in proportion to Population,” Yadav said.

Tejashwi accused the BJP of adopting Their agenda for electoral gains.

“They are repeating our words. The BJP only works when elections are near. But the caste census must happen before delimitation or else the structural imbalance in representation Will continue,” he said.

Nitish Kumar said it will help design better development policies:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had already led a state-level caste survey. In 2023, welcomed the decision warmly. “It is a matter of great happiness. This Will help identify the real socio-economic conditions of various communities and help in planning uplifting programs accordingly,” Kumar said.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “much-needed step for national development.” Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha said: “The Modi government has once again proved that proved that ‘Sabke Saath, Sabke Vikas, Sabka Viswas’ is more than a slogan. This is a revolutionary decision for social justice.”

He contrasted this move with previous governments, particularly the Congress. “What earlier governments ignored, the Modi government ignored, the Modi government is now honoring. The caste census will bring the marginalized into mainstream development planning,” Sinha said.

Political strategist and Jan Suraj movement founder Prashant Kishor welcomed the idea of caste enumeration but issued a caution.

“There’s no harm in collecting more information about society. But the country won’t improve by simply doing a census. Improvement requires implementation of its findings,” Kishor said.

Kishor cited Bihar’s own caste census: “It Recommended giving Rs 2 lakh for employment to poor families how many got it? A book doesn’t make you wise until you read and apply it.”

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, Cleared the decision in a key meeting attended by top ministers, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitaraman and Piyush Goyal.

Also Read: Jagadanand Singh said RJD will struggle for caste census till the end.

EOM.