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Tamil Nadu’s legislative assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to conduct a caste census to ensure equal rights and opportunities in education, economy, and employment for all citizens.
Key Points
- Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopts a resolution urging the Centre to conduct a caste census.
- Chief Minister MK Stalin emphasizes the need for detailed demographic data to ensure equal rights and opportunities.
- Stalin writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, advocating for the integration of the caste census with the national decadal census.
- The resolution aims to address socio-economic disparities and uplift marginalized communities through informed policy-making.
- The last caste census in India was conducted in 1931, highlighting the need for updated socio-economic data.
In a significant move aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to conduct a caste-based census. This resolution, introduced by Chief Minister MK Stalin, underscores the critical need for detailed demographic data to formulate effective policies ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all Indian citizens in education, economy, and employment.
Chief Minister MK Stalin articulated the resolution’s necessity, stating, “This House considers that caste-based population census is essential to formulate policies in order to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities in education, economy and employment to every citizen of India.”
Stalin further emphasized the urgency of the matter, urging the Centre to initiate the overdue census work, which has been pending since 2021, and to include caste-based population data in the upcoming national decadal census.
Following the Assembly’s approval, Chief Minister Stalin also addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter, advocating for the integration of the caste-based census with the national decadal census. Stalin highlighted the pivotal role of such data in ensuring that development benefits reach all societal sections, particularly the marginalized.
“As a developing country, I consider that fruits of development must reach all sections of the society, particularly the most marginalized,” Stalin wrote. He stressed the importance of accurate census data for framing policies and targeting interventions aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of the underprivileged.
Stalin’s letter further elaborated on the historical significance of caste as a determinant of social progress in India, making the availability of caste-based socio-economic data crucial. “Caste has historically been a key determinant of the prospects of social progress in our society,” he noted, adding that contemporary data on the socio-economic and educational status of various castes, communities, and tribes is essential for informed policy-making.
The last caste census in India was conducted in 1931, leaving a significant gap in comprehensive socio-economic data. The need for such data has been emphasized in several Supreme Court judgments concerning the classification of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes.
Stalin’s letter highlighted that laws and acts based on verifiable socio-economic indicators drawn from decadal census reports gain legal validity, reinforcing the need for updated and accurate data. He stressed that integrating a caste-based census with the national decadal census is essential for addressing the socio-economic disparities that persist in the country.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly’s resolution reflects a growing recognition of the importance of caste-based data in achieving social justice and equality. By urging the Union Government to commence the census operations immediately, Tamil Nadu aims to pave the way for more targeted and effective policies that can uplift the most marginalized communities.
