New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) Academics, politicians and intellectuals Thursday were of the opinion that enumeration of all castes in the ongoing census will help the country move towards a caste-free society and provide a sound basis for formulating policies.
Speaking at the national conference organized by the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of the National Law School of India University dwelt all aspects of caste enumeration in the census and said all castes and not just the other backward classed (OBCs) be included in the census.
Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said caste-based census will enable the government to formulate certain sections of society which are deprived of their due share of the country’s wealth.
‘Caste is a complex reality in India and so there should be a census. I hope that the group of ministers will apply their mind on the issue and agree for caste census,’ he added.
National Backward Classes Commission chairman Justice M.N. Rao said it is the responsibility of the government to revise the list of the backward castes.
Satish Deshpande from the Delhi School of Economics emphasised the need to move from caste-blind to a caste-aware position and open opportunities for a rational discussion on related issues.
The demand for a caste-based census was made by the opposition during the budget session of parliament, with some members from the treasury benches supporting this.
A group of ministers headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is currently discussing the issue.
