A hot debate on Caste Census in India erupted on Monday, as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), through its spokesperson Sunil Ambekar, labeled the exercise as a ‘sensitive issue’. The Congress quickly responded, accusing RSS of openly opposing the caste census.

During an address in Palakkad, Kerala, the RSS chief spokesperson emphasized the sensitivity of caste relations in Hindu society and its importance in national unity. He stressed the need for serious consideration of the issue beyond politics or elections.

The demand for a caste census on a national level stems from the successful implementation of the exercise by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar during his tenure in the INDIA alliance.

Further elaborating on the issue, the RSS spokesperson emphasized the necessity of gathering numbers for welfare activities aimed at addressing the needs of specific castes and communities requiring special attention.

However, he cautioned against politicizing the caste census and urged its use solely for the welfare of marginalized communities, not as a tool for electoral advantage.

In response, the Congress criticized RSS for its stance against the caste census, accusing the organization of hindering the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and tribals. Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi has been a vocal advocate for conducting a comprehensive caste census.

The Bihar caste census spearheaded by CM Nitish Kumar indicated that nearly 80% of the population belong to highly backward classes.

What is RSS’s Position on Caste Census?

Despite previous statements by Sridhar Gadge in December 2023, the RSS clarified that it does not oppose a nationwide caste census.

In December 2023, Sridhar Gadge had expressed skepticism about the utility of a caste census nationwide, claiming it would not be in the best interest of the nation.

He argued against a caste-based census, stating that it would not serve the society or the nation’s interests in any significant way. He distinguished between a caste census and reservation policies, asserting that the RSS supports reservation for the upliftment of backward sections independently of a caste census.

Gadge emphasized that reservation can continue without a caste census and underscored the RSS’s commitment to supporting reservation policies for the betterment of marginalized communities.