CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad, A comprehensive, scientific and transparent caste census should be conducted across the country to establish accurate figures on the Backward Classes (BC) population, speakers at the 12th annual celebrations of the BC Coordination Committee (BCCC) said.
The programme was held at Kandaswamy Lane in Kotla, Hyderabad, where the Hindi and English editions of the book ‘Tales of the Greats’, published under the aegis of the BCCC, were released.
The chief guest at the event highlighted the need for the Central Government to ensure that the upcoming caste census captures complete information about the BC community, including their population, social status and economic conditions.
Complete BC Data Must Be Included
The speakers said that the announcement by the Central Government to conduct a caste census provides an opportunity to obtain reliable data on different communities across the country. However, they expressed concern that the questionnaire currently prepared for the exercise does not give adequate priority to issues concerning BCs.
They urged the Centre to reconsider the questionnaire and ensure that comprehensive information relating to BC communities is mandatorily collected.
According to the speakers, only a scientific and transparent nationwide exercise can provide clarity on the actual population of BCs and their socio-economic conditions, enabling governments to formulate policies based on reliable population data.
Telangana Caste Census Cited as a Model
The programme also highlighted the caste census conducted by the Telangana government, with the speakers stating that the state had already undertaken a comprehensive caste survey in a systematic manner.
They argued that similar efforts at the national level would help policymakers understand the demographic and socio-economic position of BC communities and design welfare and development programmes accordingly.
Demand for Clarity on 50% Reservation Cap
The issue of the 50% reservation ceiling was also raised during the programme.
The speakers pointed out that while the Telangana government has taken legal measures aimed at increasing reservations for BCs, various court rulings have dealt with the 50% reservation limit.
They questioned why the 50% ceiling should pose a barrier to BC reservations when Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservations have been permitted beyond the traditional reservation framework.
They stressed that social justice policies should be formulated by taking into account the actual population of BC communities.
BCCC’s 12-Year Contribution to Social Justice
The efforts of the BC Coordination Committee over the past 12 years in advocating for BC rights and social justice were appreciated at the event.
The organisation’s Chairman and former Rajya Sabha member Shri Tulla Devender Goud was praised for his contribution to social awareness. According to the organisers, he has authored 26 books in Telugu and conducted 1,265 meetings aimed at creating awareness on social issues.
The release of the Hindi and English versions of Tales of the Greats was described as an important initiative to take the lives, aspirations and sacrifices of social reformers and leaders such as Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Periyar Ramaswamy to a wider audience and future generations.
Continued Fight for BC Rights
The speakers said that the Congress Party has consistently advocated for BC rights and social justice, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been raising the issue of social justice and caste census at the national level.
They maintained that the struggle for ensuring justice to BC communities would continue until appropriate representation and opportunities are secured.
A request concerning land allocation for the BCCC organisation was also brought to the government’s attention by Chairman Tulla Devender Goud. The chief guest assured the organisation that every possible effort would be made on behalf of the government to address the matter.
The programme concluded with renewed calls for the Central Government to conduct a comprehensive nationwide caste census, officially publish BC population figures and use the findings to strengthen policies aimed at achieving social justice and equitable representation.
