Stalin urges Tamil Nadu to push Centre for structured caste census approach

DMK president M.K. Stalin has called on the Tamil Nadu government to pass an Assembly resolution pressing the Centre to overhaul its approach to the caste census, warning that the current open-ended format will squander ₹12,000 crore and yield no usable data.

Open-ended format 'disappointing'

In a social media statement, Stalin criticised the Centre's decision to record caste details without a pre-determined drop-down list or standardised menu, describing the method as disappointing. He rejected the Centre's explanation that communities listed under the OBC category are classes rather than castes.

The former Chief Minister argued that a proper caste census can only succeed if it relies on a list of communities prepared jointly by the Central and State governments. He urged the Centre to consult State governments and compile details of castes listed under the Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes categories, allowing people to select from a combined list.

Risk of confusion, inflated claims

Stalin warned that collecting caste information based on individual suggestions will create confusion. "As already pointed out by those interested in social justice, it will result in claims relating to 46 lakh communities," he said.

He said the flawed methodology would not only waste government funds and the labour of employees but would also fail to deliver any benefits, serving only as an eyewash. The DMK leader stressed that the resolution should urge the Centre to conduct a census capable of ascertaining the socio-economic status of Other Backward Classes, evolving an appropriate reservation policy, and ensuring OBC empowerment.

Source: The Hindu