RaGa's push forced Centre to yield on caste census: Patwari

Bhopal: Calling the Union govt's decision to hold a caste census a "revolutionary step" in the journey towards social justice, Congress state chief Jitu Patwari on Thursday credited party leader Rahul Gandhi's unwavering campaign for compelling a "reluctant BJP-led Centre to concede the demand".

The exercise was not just an administrative move, but the outcome of sustained political pressure, he said at a press conference at PCC headquarters here.

He further said "win" of Rahul in his struggle to ensure a caste census as a stepping stone towards social justice in the country has come as a new ray of hope for the OBCs, Dalits and tribals, who have been "deprived of their rightful place in the society for centuries".

Patwari said not only the former Congress national president persisted with the demand despite stiff opposition from the BJP and allied groups, he raised the issue in different public forums. Rahul also presented a transparent and ideal model for it by getting a caste census done in the Congress-ruled Telangana, he said.

The Congress state chief has thrown a challenge before the BJP by demanding removal of 50 per cent ceiling on reservation in govt jobs and admission in elite educational institutions.

He said demand for caste census by Rahul was in continuity to his constant endeavour to expose the "anti-people" policies and decisions of the Modi govt over the years.

"Be it farming laws, Agniveer scheme, Broadcasting Services Bill, lateral entry of bureaucrats, GST, demonetisation or handling of Covid-19 pandemic, Rahul has always raised the voice of the common man and his concerns and very often, he has succeeded in forcing the Modi regime to go back on those decisions."