Reacting sharply to the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste-based census, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday questioned the government’s intent, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of announcing “headline without deadline.”
Quoting Rahul Gandhi, Ramesh said, “Like Rahul Gandhi said yesterday, ‘headline toh de diya, lekin deadline kaha hai?’ Our PM is an expert in giving headlines without deadlines.” The Congress leader alleged that the Modi government’s announcement lacked clarity, commitment, and financial backing.
He further pointed out the mismatch in budget allocation: “In 2025-26, the census commissioner’s office in the Home Ministry, which has been given the responsibility of conducting the caste census, was allocated Rs 575 crore in the budget. But on 24 December 2019, PM Narendra Modi's government said that Rs 8,254 crore is required for the national census.”
“So, what is the purpose and the intent? Only a headline?” Ramesh asked, implying that the Centre’s move may be politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from other pressing issues, including recent national security concerns.
The Congress party has long been demanding a nationwide caste census to ensure equitable distribution of resources and representation.
