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With a caste survey report released in neighbouring Bihar, the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Congress have demanded a similar exercise in Uttar Pradesh.
BSP supremo Mayawati said that the Uttar Pradesh government should conduct a caste survey right away, adding that though some political parties are against it, it is the only way to ensure justice for the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
“The data of the caste census conducted by the Bihar government being made public is in the news today and intense discussions are going on about it. Some parties are definitely uncomfortable with this, but for the BSP, this is the first step in the long struggle for the constitutional rights of OBCs,” Mayawati said on X.
1. बिहार सरकार द्वारा कराए गए जातीय जनगणना के आँकड़े सार्वजनिक होने की खबरें आज काफी सुर्खियों में है तथा उस पर गहन चर्चाएं जारी है। कुछ पार्टियाँ इससे असहज ज़रूर हैं किन्तु बीएसपी के लिए ओबीसी के संवैधानिक हक के लम्बे संघर्ष की यह पहली सीढ़ी है।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) October 3, 2023
She said the BSP is happy that the country’s politics is taking a new turn in favour of the neglected “Bahujan Samaj”, as a consequence of which even the most extreme “anti-caste” and “anti-Mandal” sects have become worried over their future.
According to PTI, The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said although the state government should start a caste census or survey immediately in accordance with the sentiment of the public, “the right solution will be found only when the Centre conducts the caste census at the national level and gives them their due rights.
“Bihar caste-based census published: This is the mathematical basis of social justice. The caste census will not open a new path of 85-15 conflict but of cooperation. And those who are not domineering, but are supporters of everyone’s rights, they support it and welcome it. Those who really want to guarantee rights get a caste census done. The BJP government should leave politics aside and conduct a nationwide caste census,” the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said on X.
बिहार जाति आधारित जनगणना प्रकाशित : ये है सामाजिक न्याय का गणतीय आधार।
जातिगत जनगणना 85-15 के संघर्ष का नहीं बल्कि सहयोग का नया रास्ता खोलेगी और जो लोग प्रभुत्वकामी नहीं हैं बल्कि सबके हक़ के हिमायती हैं, वो इसका समर्थन भी करते हैं और स्वागत भी।जो सच में अधिकार दिलवाना चाहते हैं…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) October 2, 2023
“When people come to know how many they are (in numbers), a self-confidence awakens among them and also consciousness against social injustice, due to which their unity increases and they overcome the obstacles in the way of their progress.
“(They) create new paths and end the injustices done by the powers that be and the traditional powerful people of the society. With this, the society moves on the path of equality and the country develops in an integrated manner. A caste census is the path to the country’s progress,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister added.
Now, it is certain that the “PDA” will decide the direction of future politics, he said.
Yadav has coined the term “PDA” to speak for the “Peechda” (backward), Dalit (oppressed) and “Alpsankhyak” (minority).
Union minister and Apna Dal (S) president Anupriya Patel has also demanded a caste census and the constitution of an “OBC ministry”, saying it is the need of the hour.
Addressing a programme in Rae Bareli on Monday, she said her party was “always in favour of a caste census”.
The Apna Dal (S) is a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
