As the Centre announced its decision to conduct a caste-based census, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed the move but linked it to upcoming elections in Bihar while also crediting Rahul Gandhi for consistently pushing the demand.

Speaking on Thursday, Kharge said, "I don't think it has been done given Bihar elections are near... Ultimately, the country is important, and people are important." He also took a swipe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing it of long-standing opposition to caste enumeration. "RSS has always been against the caste census. So, they have no right to talk about the reservations they have provided."

The senior Congress leader emphasized that the demand for a caste census was not new and had been collectively raised by the opposition bloc. He highlighted the role of Rahul Gandhi, stating, "All opposition parties had demanded caste census. Rahul Gandhi led the demand for a caste census, and today we have achieved it. We are happy."

The Union Cabinet’s nod for a caste-based census comes amid growing political pressure from opposition parties, especially after the recent public debates around social justice, data transparency, and equitable resource distribution.

Rahul Gandhi, too, had recently underscored the need for a caste-based headcount to ensure that public policies reflect social realities. His repeated calls have now found partial vindication with the Centre’s announcement, which is seen by many as a significant political concession.

The caste census is expected to be conducted by the Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, although no clear timeline has been released yet. Opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, have already questioned the intent and urgency of the move, calling it “a headline without a deadline.”