Patna: Lalu Prasad Yadav, the prominent leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has escalated his rhetoric regarding the caste census, vowing to hold both the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accountable. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Yadav declared that the opposition would take decisive action to ensure that a caste census is conducted.
Yadav’s strong statements follow a recent shift in the RSS’s position on the matter. On Monday, RSS leader Sunil Ambekar suggested that while the RSS was open to collecting caste data, such information should be used solely for the welfare of specific communities and not for political gain.
“We will hold RSS and BJP accountable, force them into compliance, and ensure that the caste census is carried out. What gives them the authority to refuse? We will apply enough pressure that they will have no choice but to conduct it. It is time for Dalits, backward classes, tribals, and the poor to unite,” Yadav posted in Hindi on X.
Yadav made these comments after returning to Patna from Singapore, where he underwent a successful kidney transplant operation in December 2022.
Ambekar, speaking after a recent RSS coordination meeting in Rajasthan, emphasized that caste issues are highly sensitive and must be handled with a focus on national unity. He also clarified that while the RSS supports the collection of caste data for welfare purposes, it should not be exploited for political motives.
“The RSS believes that caste data should be used to address the needs of communities that are lagging behind. The government needs accurate numbers for this purpose. However, this data should not be used as a political tool for elections,” Ambekar stated.
The demand for a comprehensive caste census has gained momentum in recent months, particularly following a Supreme Court ruling on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Opposition leaders argue that accurate data is crucial for formulating effective policies to support marginalized communities.
While the RSS has expressed conditional support for the census, it insists that the data must be used exclusively for welfare initiatives, and not for political or electoral advantages.
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