The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) recently stated that a caste-based census should be conducted, but it should not be used for political gain. After this comment from the RSS, the Congress party on Tuesday (September 3) questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would now conduct a caste census, taking a cue from one of Congress’s promises, after getting a green light from the RSS. Congress raised five questions, targeting both the RSS and the government.
RSS’s All India Publicity Chief, Sunil Ambekar, said during an event in Palakkad, Kerala, that the RSS has no objection to a caste-based census, but the data should be used for the welfare of the people, not as a political tool for elections. Responding to this statement, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the authority of the RSS over the caste census.
Congress’s Five Questions to the Government
On the social media platform X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted five questions directed at the Modi government, also targeting the RSS. He asked, “Who is the RSS to have the final say on the caste census? Who gave the RSS the authority to permit a caste census? What does the RSS mean when it says that the caste census should not be misused for election campaigns? Is it trying to act as a judge or umpire?”
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He further questioned, “Why has the RSS remained mysteriously silent on the need for a constitutional amendment to remove the 50% cap on reservations for Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs? Now that the RSS has given its approval, will the ‘non-biological’ Prime Minister hijack another one of Congress’s guarantees and conduct a caste census?”
Mallikarjun Kharge Also Questioned RSS
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also raised questions about the RSS on Monday night, asking whether the RSS is in favor of or against the caste census. Kharge said, “The RSS, which supports the Manusmriti instead of the country’s Constitution, should clarify whether it cares about the participation of Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and the poor and marginalized in society.”
