New Delhi [India], May 1 (HBTV): In a significant decision, the government on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming population census.

Briefing the media on the decisions taken by the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that while some states have undertaken caste surveys, the responsibility of conducting a census falls within the jurisdiction of the central government.

He said the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) had decided that caste enumeration should be officially included in the upcoming census.

Vaishnaw also criticised previous Congress governments, alleging that they had consistently opposed a caste census.

'Caste was not included in any of the census operations conducted since independence. In 2010, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singhji assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census would be considered by the Cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to examine the issue, and most political parties recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress government opted to conduct only a caste survey, known as the SECC,' he said.

Vaishnaw claimed that the Congress and its INDI alliance partners had used the caste census issue merely as a political tool.

'As per Article 246 of the Constitution, census is item 69 in the Union List of the 7th Schedule, making it a Union subject. While some states have carried out caste surveys—some transparently, others politically and opaquely—it is necessary to ensure that such data collection does not disturb the social fabric. Therefore, caste enumeration should be included transparently in the official census instead of through individual state surveys,' he added.

The minister asserted that the move would help strengthen the country’s social and economic framework.

'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has decided to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census. This reflects the government’s commitment to the values and interests of society and the nation,' Vaishnaw said.

He also highlighted that the Modi government had previously introduced ten per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections without impacting other communities.

The Congress party has been repeatedly demanding a caste census, with several of its leaders raising the issue in public speeches.

(ANI)