Chennai, Apr 30 (UNI) Terming the Centre's decision to conduct the
much-delayed Caste census as another triumph for DMK and the
Opposition INDIA Bloc in their arduous social justice journey, Tamil
Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin on Wednesday
evening said key questions on when it will begin and when it will
conclude remained unanswered.
It was a hard earned victory for the Tamil Nadu government that was
driven by the ideals of the ruling DMK's Dravidian Model and this
sudden move (Centre's decision to hold the Caste Census) reeks
of political expediency with Social Justice dominating the Bihar
elections narrative.
The DMK was the first to adopt a resolution in the Legislative Assembly
demanding Caste Census and also championed this cause in every forum.
He said the DMK also reiterated this demand in every meeting with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and through multiple letters, consistently urging the
Union Government to take responsibility.
The same Prime Minister who had once accused the Oppositon parties of
dividing people on caste, has now yielded to this very demand, he added.
Mr Stalin asserted that caste census was essential and not optional
for objective policy making, targeted welfare, and the pursuit of real
social justice.
He said the DMK's stand was vindicated as others called for state-level
caste surveys, but the DMK stood firm as Census was a Union subject
and only the Union Government could and should deliver a legally binding
caste enumeration under the Census Act.
In a post on X, Mr Stalin wrote "after the failure of all its attempts to deny
and delay the much-needed caste enumeration, the Union BJP Government
has finally announced that it will be conducted along with the forthcoming
Census. But key questions remain unanswered--when will the Census begin?
When will it conclude?"
"The timing is no coincidence. With #SocialJustice dominating the #Bihar
Elections narrative, this sudden move reeks of political expediency", he
said.
"The same Prime Minister who once accused opposition parties of dividing
people on caste has now yielded to the very demand, he maligned repeatedly",
he noted.
"Caste Census is essential—not optional—for objective policymaking, targeted
welfare, and the pursuit of real social justice. You cannot remedy injustice without
first recognising its scale", Mr Stalin posted.
"For the Tamil Nadu Government and DMK, this is a hard-earned victory. We were
the first to adopt a resolution in the Legislative Assembly demanding #CasteCensus.
We championed this cause in every forum. We reiterated this demand in every meeting
with the Prime Minister and through multiple letters, consistently urging the Union
Government to take responsibility", Mr Stalin said.
"While others called for state-level caste surveys, we stood firm: Census is a Union
subject. Only the Union Government can and should deliver a legally binding caste
enumeration under the Census Act", he said.
"Our stand is now vindicated", the Chief Minister added.
"Another triumph for DMK and #INDIA Bloc in our arduous social justice journey,
driven by the ideals of the #DravidianModel", he said.
UNI GV 1935