Gujarat Assembly Debates Resolution for Caste-Based Census

The opposition Congress introduced a resolution in the Gujarat assembly seeking a caste-based census to identify disadvantaged castes for better policy formulation and resource allocation. The BJP government rejected the resolution, arguing such censuses fall under Central government jurisdiction and claiming it would lead to societal discrimination.

On Friday, the opposition Congress introduced a resolution in the Gujarat assembly advocating for a 'caste-based census' in the state.

The party contended that identifying disadvantaged castes could aid in policy formulation and resource allocation. However, the BJP government dismissed the proposal. They cited the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's rejection of the caste census idea, arguing it would perpetuate societal discrimination.

Congress Legislature Party Leader Amit Chavda, who tabled the resolution, emphasized the necessity of a caste census for social justice, underscoring the increasing socio-economic inequality and caste-based discrimination in Gujarat. BJP's legislative and parliamentary affairs minister, Rushikesh Patel, labeled the resolution as a political strategy by the Congress to regain power, declaring such census efforts to be under Central government jurisdiction.

(With inputs from agencies.)