While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed it historic and a step towards social justice, he targeted Congress governments in the past for not holding caste census. “Successive Congress governments failed to undertake caste census.
Ruling and opposition parties in Maharashtra on Wednesday welcomed the Central government’s decision to include caste census in the the forthcoming population census.
While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed it historic and a step towards social justice, he targeted Congress governments in the past for not holding caste census. “Successive Congress governments failed to undertake caste census. But it is the Narendra Modi-led government which has taken this step towards bringing social justice in the country,”he said.
Deputy Chief Minitsers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar too termed the decision as historic.
“The central government’s decision to conduct a caste-based census is welcome, as it will help all sections of society receive their rightful entitlements. It will enable the government to allocate more funds for the development of socially backward, deprived, and neglected communities,” said Pawar.
Shinde slammed Congress saying instead of merely giving slogans of “Samvidhan Bachao”, like Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken “strong steps”.
Opposition Congress termed it a victory of constant efforts put in by party leader Rahul Gandhi.
“Rahul Gandhi had been demanding caste census to ensure social justice and on the contrary BJP was always against it. The BJP-led Centre had to accept Rahul Gandhi’s demand finally and we welcome it,” said state Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal.
“We had been constantly demanding for caste census for many years now. Our position was that this will help government to take a decision of demands of reservation by various communities. We welcome the decision,” said NCP(SP) working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.