Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi Government of Withholding ‘True Caste Census’, Says Decision Was Taken Under Pressure

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reignited the national debate on caste enumeration, accusing the Narendra Modi-led government of announcing a caste census “under pressure” and asserting that it will not conduct a “true” caste census nor remove the 50% cap on reservations. His remarks came during the launch of the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Sasaram, Bihar—a 1,300 km-long campaign aimed at mobilizing support for electoral transparency and social justice.

Gandhi’s comments have drawn sharp reactions from political observers and rival parties, especially as caste census remains a contentious issue ahead of the 2026 general elections. The Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc have long demanded a nationwide caste census to ensure equitable distribution of resources and representation.

🗣️ Rahul Gandhi’s Core Allegations

At the launch event, which saw participation from senior leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and Mukesh Sahani, Gandhi stated:

“We had said in Parliament that we want a caste census and that the wall of 50% cap on reservation should be brought down. I said it before PM Modi. But the BJP and Narendra Modi, under pressure, announced a caste census. I know they will not conduct a true caste census and will never bring down the wall of 50% cap on reservations.”

He further claimed that the Centre’s April announcement to include caste enumeration in the next population census was a political maneuver lacking genuine intent.

📊 Caste Census: What’s at Stake

Issue	Congress/INDIA Bloc Position	Modi Government Position
Nationwide Caste Census	Strongly in favor	Announced inclusion in next census
50% Reservation Cap	Wants removal	No indication of change
Implementation Timeline	Demands immediate rollout	No clear deadline provided
Data Transparency	Seeks public access and auditability	Yet to outline methodology

The caste census, last conducted in 1931, has been a long-standing demand from social justice advocates. While the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 collected caste data, it was never released publicly, leading to criticism over lack of transparency.

🧭 Political Context: Bihar as the Epicenter

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, flagged off in poll-bound Bihar, is strategically timed. Bihar has been at the forefront of the caste census debate, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar previously conducting a state-level caste survey. The Congress hopes to leverage this momentum to build a national narrative around caste equity.

State-Level Action	Status	Impact on National Debate
Bihar Caste Survey	Completed	Set precedent for other states
Karnataka Caste Survey	Conducted, awaiting release	Pressure on Centre to act
Maharashtra Demand	Growing political support	Adds weight to opposition’s campaign

Tejashwi Yadav, speaking at the event, reiterated that caste census is essential for “economic justice and inclusive development.” He drove the campaign jeep with Gandhi and other leaders, symbolizing unity among INDIA bloc partners.

🛡️ Reservation Cap: The 50% Wall

One of the most contentious aspects of Gandhi’s speech was the demand to remove the 50% cap on reservations. This cap, upheld by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney judgment (1992), has been a legal barrier to expanding affirmative action.

Reservation Category	Current Quota (%)	Proposed Change by Congress
SC/ST	15% + 7.5%	No change
OBC	27%	Expansion possible post-census
EWS (General)	10%	Subject to review
Total	59.5%	Exceeds 50% cap

Gandhi argued that without accurate caste data, the reservation system cannot be reformed to reflect current socio-economic realities. “The wall of 50% must come down if we are serious about justice,” he said.

🔍 Opposition’s Broader Strategy

The INDIA bloc is positioning the caste census as a cornerstone of its 2026 election campaign. Leaders from CPI (ML), CPI (M), and CPI joined the launch event, signaling a united front.

Party	Position on Caste Census	Role in Voter Adhikar Yatra
Congress	Leading the demand	Rahul Gandhi as face of campaign
RJD	Strong advocate	Tejashwi Yadav driving campaign
CPI (ML), CPI (M), CPI	Supportive	Participating in joint events
Vikassheel Insaan Party	Vocal on backward caste rights	Mukesh Sahani part of launch

The campaign will cover over 20 districts in Bihar, focusing on alleged “vote chori” and the need for electoral reforms. It aims to build grassroots support for caste census and challenge the BJP’s narrative on social justice.

🧠 Expert Opinions and Legal Hurdles

Constitutional experts have pointed out that removing the 50% cap would require either a constitutional amendment or a landmark judicial reinterpretation. While some states like Tamil Nadu have exceeded the cap through special legislation, the Centre has remained cautious.

Dr. Faizan Mustafa, legal scholar, noted, “The 50% cap is not absolute, but any attempt to breach it must be backed by robust data and legal justification. A caste census is the first step.”

Expert Name	Field	Key Insight
Dr. Faizan Mustafa	Constitutional Law	Legal basis needed to breach cap
Prof. Ashwini Deshpande	Economics	Caste data essential for policy design
Dr. Rakesh Basant	Public Policy	Census must be transparent and inclusive

📌 What Comes Next?

The Centre has yet to announce a timeline or methodology for the proposed caste enumeration. Opposition leaders have warned that without a clear roadmap, the announcement risks becoming a political gimmick.

Gandhi concluded his speech by reaffirming the Congress’s commitment: “We will get a caste census done in the whole country and remove the 50% cap on reservations. This is our promise to the people.”

As the Voter Adhikar Yatra gains traction, the caste census debate is poised to become a defining issue in the run-up to 2026.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available statements and news reports. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not reflect any political or institutional bias.