OBC Groups Demand Inclusion in Census Amid Concerns Over Exclusion
OBC groups question exclusion from first-phase Census form
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Other Backward Classes (OBC) organizations in India are questioning the exclusion of their category from the first-phase Census form, which begins in May. They have raised concerns about the government's commitment to a caste-based census, despite assurances from officials about its inclusion in the second phase next year.
- 01OBC organizations are concerned about their exclusion from the first-phase Census form.
- 02The form includes questions on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) but omits OBCs.
- 03Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that a caste-based census will occur in the second phase next year.
- 04Previous government assurances regarding caste-based census have not materialized, raising skepticism among OBC groups.
- 05Officials indicate that OBCs are expected to be included in the second phase of the Census.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
In Mumbai, Other Backward Classes (OBC) organizations have expressed their discontent over the exclusion of their category from the first-phase Census enumeration form, which is set to begin in May. They have reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Registrar General of Census for clarification. The 33-point form includes questions regarding whether individuals belong to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST), but notably omits OBCs. This exclusion has raised concerns about the government's intentions regarding a caste-based census. Sachin Rajurkar, general secretary of the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh, highlighted that while the government has assured a caste-based census in the second phase next year, the current form's design contradicts this commitment. He referenced previous failed attempts at conducting a caste-based census, notably during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and assurances made in 2019 by then Home Minister Rajnath Singh. A senior official from the Mantralaya stated that the OBC category is likely to be included in the second phase, emphasizing that SC and ST categories have always been part of the Census due to constitutional provisions.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The exclusion of OBCs from the Census form can affect their representation and allocation of resources, as census data is crucial for policy-making and social welfare programs.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe the government should include OBCs in the Census?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.




