GoM to decide on caste-based census

The complicated social issue of including caste in the census exercise currently underway in the country was referred to the collective wisdom of a Group of Ministers (GoM) today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh heard a range of opinions on this matter in Parliament where all parties demanded that caste be included in the census.

However, a section of the Congress party is believed to think that this could be a socially regressive step.

Today, following a meeting of the Cabinet, the matter was referred to a GoM likely to be headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Given the past track record of GoMs and the time they take to reach a decision, it is possible that the enumeration exercise might be over by the time the government takes a view on this. However, ministers said they had advised the GoM to come out with its findings quickly.

In Cabinet, among those who spoke on the issue were Law Minister Veerappa Moily and some others who are pushing for caste-based census.

Kapil Sibal and MS Gill expressed reservations on including castes in the census as the exercise had already begun.

Moily, who has been vocal votary for inclusion of castes in the census, said castes could easily be included in round two and three of the exercise when the work on National Population Register begins.

Mukul Wasnik is also believed to have favoured inclusion of caste in the census.

Anand Sharma, who had spoken against inclusion of castes in the census, today presented a balanced view on the sensitive subject.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had reservations on it, only on grounds of logistics. The Home Ministry is understood to have said that the present exercise of enumeration should go on and caste could be included later at the time of taking biometric samples.

Ultimately the matter was referred to a GoM which will also decide at what stage – if at all – caste should be included in the census.

Several political parties, including Samajwadi Party, RJD and JD(U), have been pressing for caste-based census.The issue had figured prominently in the just-concluded Budget Session of Parliament when the PM had assured the members that the government would take their views into account before deciding on the matter.

The PM, during his press conference on Monday, said the decision would be taken by the Cabinet.

“I made a statement in Parliament in which I said we should take into account the views expressed in Parliament by various sections...And that I will ask the Cabinet to consider them. That process is on,” Singh said.

He said, “Discussion on the issue will take place in the Cabinet and whatever decision is taken, will be brought before the people.”