In a recent development, the Supreme Court was informed today that the exclusive authority to carry out a caste census rests with the Union Government and no other entity. The Central government presented an affidavit emphasizing that the Census Act of 1948 grants the responsibility of conducting the census solely to the government. This move is positioned as a challenge to the Bihar government, which had previously informed the Supreme Court that a caste census survey in Bihar had been conducted by August 6, with the gathered data uploaded by August 12.
Earlier, on August 21, the Supreme Court had granted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represents the Central government, a seven-day period to provide a response to the matter. Mehta had indicated that conducting the survey could have potential consequences. The completion of the seven-day period occurred today.
Reacting to the Central government’s affidavit, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Centre for its stance. He accused the Centre of lacking understanding, alleging that they only resort to falsehoods and suppression of truth. Yadav asserted that the affidavit confirms the BJP’s opposition to the caste census. He challenged the BJP to support the caste census across the nation if they truly endorse it.
Sushil Modi Expressed Support For Caste Census
On the other hand, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Modi, expressed the BJP’s support for a caste census. However, he clarified that, according to the Census Act, only the Centre has the authority to conduct such a survey.
The Central Government reiterated its commitment to take affirmative actions for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in line with the Indian Constitution and applicable laws.
Numerous petitions have been presented in the Supreme Court challenging the Patna High Court’s ruling in favor of the caste survey initiated by the Bihar Government.
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