Such consultation would allow incorporation of diverse perspectives, account for State-specific nuances, and foster cooperative federalism in this critical exercise, he pointed out.
File Photo: IANS
Welcoming the decision of the Union government to have caste enumeration along with the Census, a long-standing demand of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to constitute a consultative mechanism involving Chief Ministers and representatives of States to discuss and refine the guidelines in carrying out the task.
“Given that Census is a Union subject, but its outcomes profoundly impact State-level policies on education, employment, reservations, and welfare schemes, it is imperative that the Union government consult all states and Union Territories before finalising the guidelines and questionnaire,” Stalin said in a DO letter to the prime minister.
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Such consultation would allow incorporation of diverse perspectives, account for State-specific nuances, and foster cooperative federalism in this critical exercise, he pointed out.
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Expressing apprehension that the exercise, if not handled properly, will have unintended consequences, the chief minister said, “Caste enumeration is an exceedingly sensitive matter that touches upon deep-rooted social dynamics, regional variations in caste structures, and the potential for unintended societal tensions if not handled with utmost care.”
As such, the framing of questions, categories, sub-categories, and the methodology for data collection must be precise, inclusive and free from ambiguity, he warned, “Any shortcomings in these aspects could lead to disputes, inaccuracies, or even exacerbate divisions.”
Therefore, he called for the constitution of a consultative mechanism comprising chief ministers and representatives of states to discuss and refine the guidelines for caste enumeration. Further, he suggested exercising due diligence in designing the framework, including pilot testing where necessary, to safeguard the sensitivity of the process and ensure the data reliability for advancing social justice.
In his view, the inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census is a move that has far reaching implications for social justice and equitable policy-making, and the federal structure of our nation. Further, it serves the need for comprehensive, reliable data to address historical inequalities and ensure targeted welfare measures, he added.
Recalling the Tamil Nadu Assembly passing resolutions for inclusion of caste enumeration in the census, the chief minister expressed confidence that ‘this historic opportunity will be utilised to strengthen India’s commitment to equality and inclusivity, vindicating the DMK’s consistent advocacy for evidence-based social justice.
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