Telangana Eyes Caste Census: Upliftment or Division?
Telangana Government Proposes Caste Census, Aiming to Uplift Weaker Sections
Hyderabad: In a significant move, the Congress government in Telangana has brought a resolution in the state assembly seeking a comprehensive caste census across the entire state. This proposal comes after the party secured a thumping victory in the recent elections, winning 64 out of 119 seats, marking its first absolute majority since Telangana’s formation.
The proposed “Socio, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste Survey (KULA GANANA)” aims to gather detailed data on caste distribution, socio-economic conditions, educational attainment, employment status, and political representation of various communities in the state. This information, according to the government, will be crucial for formulating and implementing targeted welfare schemes and ensuring equitable distribution of resources for the upliftment of Backward Classes (BCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other weaker sections.
Backward Class Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who introduced the resolution, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this initiative and its potential to bring about positive change. He highlighted the long-standing demand for caste enumeration within the Congress party and expressed his commitment to utilizing the collected data for the betterment of all communities.
While acknowledging that caste census falls under the central government’s purview, Minister Prabhakar justified the state’s move by citing the unique needs and contexts of individual states. He expressed confidence that the survey will pave the way for achieving social justice for SCs, STs, BCs, and other marginalized groups in Telangana.
This proposal has garnered mixed reactions. Supporters hail it as a vital step towards ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for historically disadvantaged communities. Critics, however, raise concerns about the potential for misuse of data and the re-opening of societal divisions based on caste lines.
With the resolution introduced, the state government now awaits the central government’s approval to proceed with the proposed caste census. The debate surrounding this initiative is likely to continue, raising crucial questions about social justice, data privacy, and the path forward for equitable development in Telangana.
