Congress alleges Modi government is sabotaging 2027 caste census

The Congress party has accused the Modi government of attempting to sabotage the upcoming 2027 Census by omitting critical caste enumeration features. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh alleged that the government is failing to include a structured drop-down menu for caste selection, despite having recommended such a mechanism in a 2021 Supreme Court affidavit to ensure consistent data.

Further allegations from Congress OBC department chief Anil Jaihind suggest a deliberate attempt to exclude Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from official records. Jaihind specifically pointed to Question 10 of the census questionnaire, claiming it lacks a dedicated provision for respondents to identify as OBC. The party argues that without accurate, scientific, and transparent demographic data, the government cannot properly assess the socio-economic status of disadvantaged communities or ensure the effective reach of welfare measures.

Congress leaders have emphasized that a meaningful census must account for regional variations in caste identities rather than relying on uniform classifications. They contend that the current format undermines the principles of social justice and prevents the establishment of accurate community population figures.