Caste Census: A Step Towards Equitable Social Justice
Kishor Makwana, Chairperson of the NCSC, supports caste enumeration in the upcoming census to inform policy and promote social justice. Makwana argues this data will help uplift marginalized communities and facilitate equitable access to welfare programs. He criticizes past opposition and inadequate data utilization, emphasizing the importance of accurate population figures for policy-making.
- Country:
- India
In a direct rebuttal to criticisms surrounding caste enumeration, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairperson, Kishor Makwana, stated the initiative would lay the groundwork for more effective policy-making and enhance social justice efforts.
Makwana, in an interview with PTI, expressed confidence that the decision by the BJP-led NDA government to incorporate caste enumeration in the next census would provide concrete figures, ensuring proportional access to welfare schemes. He reflected on the previous UPA-led Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011, noting it was the first comprehensive attempt to gather caste data since 1931, though it was left underutilized.
Dispelling fears that the census could breed divisions, Makwana emphasized its potential to boost social equity by empowering marginalized groups with reliable data. He maintained that the NCSC would focus on post-census policy development to ensure benefits reach the deserving, bolstering the vision of social upliftment championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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