PM Modi has every intention of delaying caste census: Congress
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday said one full year has passed since the government announced a caste census but the details of how this enumeration will be done are still awaited, as it alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has every intention of delaying the exercise.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said today exactly a year ago, the Modi government had announced that caste enumeration of the entire population will be included in the upcoming Census.
"The recent chronology relating to this dramatic U turn by the Prime Minister is this: On July 21 2021, the Home Minister had answered a question in the Lok Sabha asked by a BJP MP Smt Raksha Nikhil Khadse (now a Minister herself) and said that the Government of India had decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population," Ramesh said on X.
On September 21 2021, the Modi government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that any directive by the court to enumerate caste-wise population would be tantamount to interfering with a policy decision already taken by the Modi government, he said
On April 16, 2023, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the PM demanding an up-to-date caste census as part of the regular census, Ramesh pointed out.
"On April 28 2024, in a television interview to News18 Network, the prime minister attacked the Congress saying that its demand for a caste census was indicative of 'urban naxal' thought," he said.
The prime minister owes the leadership of the Congress an apology for his accusation, Ramesh said, adding that more importantly, he owes the people of India an explanation of why he allowed his mind to be contaminated by "urban naxal" thought when he announced a caste census on April 30, 2025.
"A full year has passed. The details of how this caste enumeration will be done are still awaited. There has been no dialogue with Opposition parties and state governments, let alone with experts in this subject," Ramesh said.
"The President of the Indian National Congress had written to the PM again on May 5, 2025 on the issue of the caste census. That letter was not even acknowledged. The issues raised in that letter remain very valid even now," he said.
In fact, they are more relevant after the recently-concluded special session of Parliament where it was evident that the PM has every intention of delaying the caste census, Ramesh claimed.
Today exactly a year ago the Modi Govt had announced that caste enumeration of the entire population will be included in the upcoming Census.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 30, 2026
The recent chronology relating to this dramatic U turn by the Prime Minister is this:
1. On July 21 2021, the Home Minister had… pic.twitter.com/iBXWYTEm7A
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Death toll climbs to 16 in van-SUV collision in MP's Dhar
Dhar (MP) (PTI): The death toll in the collision between a pick-up van and an SUV in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district has risen to 16, officials said on Thursday.
The van carrying labourers overturned and collided with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) coming from the opposite direction near Chikliya crossing on the Indore-Ahmedabad National Highway on Wednesday night, they said.
Twelve fatalities were initially reported after the incident. Four more persons later succumbed to their injuries, taking the toll to 16, officials said.
"A very tragic incident occurred in Dhar. I was informed that 46 persons (mostly labourers) were travelling in a pickup vehicle. It overturned and caused an accident. We have received information about the deaths of 15 people. This is very unfortunate," Indore Divisional Commissioner Dr Sudam P Khade told reporters.
Later, one more person succumbed to his injuries, Dhar district hospital's civil surgeon Dr Mukund Burman said.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav have issued instructions to ensure all arrangements are made, and treatment is provided to the injured persons, and that no one is left without care, Khade said.
The divisional commissioner and Inspector General Anurag were monitoring relief operations at the incident spot.
"Seven injured persons have been referred for treatment to Indore. Fifteen people are undergoing treatment here. The patients here are currently stable, but if they need to be referred (elsewhere), everything will be done," Khade said.
"In Indore also, we have deployed a team of doctors and are making all arrangements so that there is no delay or problem in treatment," he added.
The incident occurred between 8.30 and 9 pm on Wednesday. The labourers were returning home in the van from Baggad in Dhar district when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Chikliya crossing.
The Tirla police have registered a case and are investigating the accident.
PM Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the incident. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased, and the injured would receive Rs 50,000.
CM Yadav said instructions have been given to provide Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh each to the seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
Dhar district in-charge minister Kailash Vijaywargiya said instructions have been given to the local administration to ensure that the injured receive proper treatment.
Leader of Opposition, Umang Singhar, a native of Dhar district, also expressed grief over the accident.
