In an unexpected twist, the INDIA alliance, amidst apparent unity, encountered its first substantial schism during its third gathering in Mumbai. While the meeting saw the endorsement of an election resolution, a political resolution was left in tatters due to a vehement disagreement over the inclusion of a demand for a caste census, reliable sources have revealed
The contentious caste census demand received staunch support from the Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party, and Rashtriya Janata Dal. In stark contrast, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, emerged as the prominent detractor of this proposition, leading the charge against its incorporation into the political resolution, as per insider accounts.
Strikingly, following the alliance’s second congregation in July, the ‘samuhik sankalp’ (joint resolution) unequivocally advocated the implementation of a caste census. In a collective voice, the parties had declared, “We have united to combat the growing hatred and violence targeting minorities, halt the surging crimes against women, Dalits, tribals, and Kashmiri Pandits, demand equitable representation for all socially, educationally, and economically underprivileged communities, and, as an initial step, enforce the Caste Census.”
The Bihar government had initiated a caste-based survey, championed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with the aim of aiding the disadvantaged. The Patna High Court recently upheld this endeavor, dismissing multiple petitions challenging the state government’s decision to conduct the caste-based survey and the socio-economic survey within the state. This verdict arrived nearly three months after the court had previously suspended the survey.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asserted that the decision to conduct the caste-based survey had received unanimous approval from leaders of all political parties in the state, including the BJP.
On August 29, the Central government modified an affidavit presented to the Supreme Court, excising a paragraph stating that “no other body is entitled to conduct the exercise of either Census or any action akin to it.” Subsequently, the government clarified that this paragraph had inadvertently been included.
