Ashok Gehlot Backs Caste Census as Public Interest Initiative

Rapid Summary

• Former Rajasthan CM and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot advocated for a national caste census, claiming it would address the widening gap between the rich and poor and assist policymaking.
• mr. Gehlot emphasized that the socio-economic survey could help guide future policy decisions.
• He noted that caste census had become congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s mission, aiming to bring equality across all communities without discriminating against general castes.
• At an AICC OBC Advisory Council meeting in bengaluru and subsequently during a press conference, Mr. Gehlot called for integrating SC, ST, and OBC groups into mainstream society as part of “revolutionary thinking.”
• He criticized BJP’s influence over OBC communities in religious matters but expressed hope they would understand the importance of caste census over time.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The push for a national caste census by Congress reflects an effort to prioritize inclusivity and visibility for marginalized communities such as SCs, STs, and OBCs within India’s policymaking framework. If implemented effectively, the data could enable targeted strategies to bridge socio-economic disparities while driving social equity initiatives at both central and state levels.

while skepticism persists regarding political motives behind this agenda-such as election promises or addressing concerns after specific events-the proposed idea aligns with broader demands within Indian society calling for transparency on economic gaps among varying demographics. However, debates surrounding feasibility or potential misuse of collected data may shape how such initiatives are received by opposition parties or independent critics moving forward.

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