New Delhi, Apr 30 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday hailed the Modi government's announcement of caste enumeration in the next census as historic and a reflection of its commitment to social equality and the rights of every section of society.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP president J P Nadda, also a Union minister, and a host of other leaders, including the party's OBC faces, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan describing it as an unprecedented development towards the cause of social justice.
BJP leaders were quick to point out the past aversion to the caste census from the Congress, which has been championing it under Rahul Gandhi.
Shah said, "In the CCPA meeting held today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a message of strong commitment towards social equality and rights of every section has been given by deciding to include caste census in the upcoming census."
He alleged that the Congress and its allies opposed the caste census for decades while in power and played politics over it while in the opposition.
"This decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion, and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived," Shah wrote on X in Hindi.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the decision as "historic" and said it will prove to be "very important" for the empowerment and development of all sections of the society, especially those exploited and deprived.
"Today, in the CCPA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a very historic decision has been taken in view of social justice, under which permission has been given to conduct caste enumeration in the next census," Singh wrote on X.
"This decision will prove to be very important for the empowerment and development of all sections of the society, especially those who are exploited and deprived," he said, adding, "I express my gratitude to the prime minister for this decision taken in public interest."
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari called the Cabinet's decision a "landmark step" towards "deepening social justice" and said it underscores a resolute commitment of the Modi government to equity, inclusion and the empowerment of economically and socially disadvantaged communities.
"In a landmark step towards deepening social justice, the Modi government has approved the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming census," he said in a post on X.
"This pivotal decision, taken under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the CCPA meeting, underscores a resolute commitment to equity, inclusion and the empowerment of economically and socially disadvantaged communities, marking a progressive stride towards a more representative and just societal framework," he added.
Lauding it as a historic measure, Nadda said it is an important step to bring into the mainstream the castes that are lagging behind socially, economically and educationally.
It will restore dignity to those deprived of their rights and due, he said, accusing the Congress of fomenting conflict among castes and using them as a vote bank for its political interests.
The Congress always opposed caste census when it was in power, he said, noting that it was never carried out after independence.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar hailed the decision and said the prime minister has taken an effective step to give respect to the socially and economically deprived sections of the country, make them self-reliant and empowered and bring them into the mainstream.
The decision will prove to be a "decisive effort" towards fulfilling the dreams of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar by empowering the deprived sections and ensuring social justice where identity, needs and participation of every section would be recognised, he said in a post in Hindi on X.
This step will further strengthen the Modi government's resolve of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas', Kumar said, adding, "Hearty congratulations to the 'pradhan sevak' (prime minister) of the country and congratulations to everyone for this."
Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan said the decision will mark the start of a new era of equality, harmony, good governance and social justice.