The Congress has instructed its leadership to place strong emphasis on the caste census issue during its nationwide &lsquo;Samvidhan Bachao (Save the Constitution)&rsquo; rallies. These rallies, which began on April 25, are being held in all states, and the party now aims to integrate the Congress Working Committee&rsquo;s (CWC) latest resolutions on caste census into the campaign.
On Saturday, the party circulated an official directive titled &ldquo;Implementation of CWC Resolution on Caste Census &ndash; during the Scheduled Samvidhan Bachao Rallies&rdquo; to Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents, Congress Legislature Party leaders, general secretaries, secretaries, and heads of its affiliated organisations.
The CWC convened on Friday, under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and held comprehensive discussions on the caste census, which it described as a matter of urgency and long-standing neglect.&nbsp;
The resolution passed during this meeting called for several key measures: immediate implementation of Article 15(5) of the Constitution to provide for reservations for OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in private educational institutions; swift initiation of the caste census without bureaucratic delays or justifications; a transparent and time-bound process, including prompt Parliamentary debate and complete budgetary provision; an inclusive and participatory approach in drafting the census questionnaire, conducting enumeration, classifying and publishing the data; and the utilisation of updated caste data to reassess and strengthen policies concerning reservation, education, employment, and targeted welfare schemes.
In the circular issued by party general secretary KC Venugopal, it was stated that, &ldquo;after sustained and principled pressure from the Indian National Congress, the Modi Government, which had long ridiculed, delayed, and dismissed the demand, has now been compelled to accept the genuine and democratic call for a caste-wise census.&rdquo;
It further noted that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had formally communicated the party&rsquo;s stance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating the call for an updated and comprehensive caste census. The document also highlighted that Rahul Gandhi had &ldquo;firmly asserted that social justice requires a caste census.&rdquo;
The party has provided detailed instructions to state units to prominently and vocally raise the demand during the ongoing Samvidhan Bachao Rallies across all districts and states. PCCs have also been directed to set up control rooms at the state level to oversee the implementation of the campaign. Dedicated observers are to be appointed in each district to coordinate efforts and ensure consistent reporting.
Congress leaders have been tasked with executing several initiatives throughout Assembly-level rallies and door-to-door campaigns scheduled to run until 30 May. These activities include organising Chaupal meetings that involve participation from social and civil society activists, teachers, lawyers, shopkeepers, members of self-help groups (SHGs), and Bahujan communities.&nbsp;
The party&rsquo;s message at these events will centre around its historic and continuing commitment to social justice, the role of Rahul Gandhi in championing the issue, exposing what it describes as the BJP&rsquo;s anti-Bahujan ideology and its resistance to caste enumeration, and rallying widespread public support for the caste census and full enforcement of Article 15(5).
Additionally, party officials have been instructed to conduct press conferences in each Assembly constituency and to hold regular media briefings, all coordinated through the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Communication Department. The circular also mandates close cooperation between state units and the AICC Social Media Department to ensure active participation from party workers, youth leaders, and elected representatives on digital platforms.&nbsp;
These posts are to amplify the Congress&rsquo;s stance on the caste census, underline Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s leadership and the CWC resolution, and highlight what the party describes as the BJP&rsquo;s record of caste denial and anti-Bahujan policies.
Venugopal underscored the importance of the campaign, urging leaders to treat it with the utmost priority and submit weekly progress reports detailing implementation of each action point.
This move by the Congress follows the recent decision by the Narendra Modi-led Central Government to approve the inclusion of a caste census in the upcoming national enumeration.
<a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ERXCnA7lrMp57S3N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow the Benefit News channel on WhatsApp</a>
&nbsp;

(From Left) Mallikarjun Khare, Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal

Congress directs leaders to focus on caste census during Samvidhan Bachao rallies nationwide

Congress Intensifies Push for Caste Census in Rallies

Congress directs leaders to focus on caste census during Samvidhan Bachao rallies nationwide

May 4, 2025 | 12:26 IST