Caste Census: Congress to hold nationwide campaign

Caste census: The Indian National Congress is indeed gearing up to launch a nationwide campaign advocating for a comprehensive caste census. This decision was made during the Congress OBC Advisory Council meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Bengaluru.

The party resolved to carry out a countrywide campaign to press for a caste census. The resolutions passed at the meeting have been termed the “Bengaluru Declaration.” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who chaired the meeting, stated that the proposed national census should be conducted by taking the Telangana state caste survey as a model.

He emphasized that the census must include social, economic, educational, employment, and political aspects of each individual and caste. A significant resolution passed was the demand to break the existing 50 percent cap on reservations, to ensure suitable reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in education, service, political, and other areas.

The Congress also resolved to push for reservations for OBCs in private educational institutions, as per Article 15(4) of the Indian Constitution. The OBC Advisory Council unanimously thanked Rahul Gandhi, calling him “Nyaya Yoddha” (Warrior for Justice), for consistently advocating for the cause of social justice and the caste census.

Siddaramaiah asserted that Rahul Gandhi’s “steady resolve forced the Manuvadi Modi government to surrender to the just and constitutional demand for the caste census in India.” While acknowledging the Centre’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census as a “milestone,” the Congress views it as only a “small step” towards ensuring social justice.

They continue to demand a clear timeline and sufficient financial allocation for the exercise, raising concerns that it shouldn’t end up like a mere “jumla” (empty promise). As part of the nationwide campaign and action plan, the “Congress OBC Leadership Bhagidari Nyaya Sammelan” is scheduled to be hosted on July 25, 2025, at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will inaugurate the Sammelan, and Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding address. The party also plans regular workshops in state capitals and public rallies addressed by Rahul Gandhi to outreach to all OBC communities.

The Congress has consistently pushed for a caste census, arguing it is essential for deepening social justice and ensuring that policies of reservation, welfare, and inclusion are based on accurate data rather than outdated assumptions. They believe a properly designed and implemented caste census will benefit all sections of society.

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