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New Delhi:
Political leaders, intellectuals and experts today made a strong
plea in support of inclusion of caste in the census process, noting
that caste is a reality in India and it cannot be wished away.
"Caste is a reality in India (which
is) accepted by all the political parties and also the Indian
Constitution. I would strongly support the inclusion of caste in
census count because caste is a reality and it can''t be wished
away," Congress leader Digvijay Singh said.
Singh was speaking after releasing a
book ''Caste Census- Towards an Inclusive India''.
Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily was also invited for the
programme, but he did not turn up.
The book, brought out by Bengaluru-based
''Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy'' of
National Law School of India, is a compilation of a series of
lectures delivered by experts and intellectuals on the contentious
issue at a conference in Bengaluru in July.
Singh underlined that the 1931 census, was "only" confined to the
areas ruled by Britishers then and there were many princely states
which were left out of the counting exercise.
"I think to base our policy on an
incomplete census is not justified," he said.
Saying that he "failed to understand" why there was opposition to
inclusion of caste in census, Singh said, "I think for any
government, any country to make realistic policy, to look into the
social issues, and to provide social justice, it is the need of the
hour that we strongly support the case for the caste-based Census."
"We strive to have a casteless society
but at the same time you cannot sort of wish away the ground
realities there in this country," he felt.
Addressing the gathering, CPI leader D Raja also said, "Caste is a
reality, a complex reality. I do support caste-based census."
"It has become a necessity. I think GoM will apply mind and take
decision which suits nation and the people", he said.
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