Caste Census: After PM Modi, his BJP ministers, chief ministers, allies take a U-turn

The BJP Karnataka handle had posted just as recently as 12 April: "This Unscientific so-called Caste Census is only to divide Hindus — nothing else. DOT.

Accompanying hashtags in the post included: #DivideAndRule, #Scamgress, #HinduVirodhiCongress, #BogusCasteCensus

On 30 April, the national BJP handle trumpeted: "Empowering every community with data!

"Modi Government approves Caste Census — a historic move for targeted development and true social justice."

Apparently the 'scam' of two weeks ago is now a "data-driven stride towards social justice".

Manohar Lal Khattar, when he was chief minister of Haryana, had said that the BJP never supported caste-based politics and there was no question of a caste census in Haryana.

"There is no demand for caste-based census in Haryana either as we have already identified needy people in all sections of society,” he had then added.

On Wednesday evening (30 April), Khattar — now a union minister — took to X to hail the ‘unprecedented step’ taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs to approve a caste census. The revolutionary step would ensure social equity and help uplift every section of society, while congratulating the prime minister of course.

He was not alone.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who had famously said that anyone talking to him about caste should be prepared for a hard kick from him (Jo karega jaati ki baat, usko maroonga kus ke ek laath) also took to X to hail the cabinet decision.

“In a landmark step towards deepening social justice, the #ModiGovt has approved the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming census. This pivotal decision 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 posted.

BJP president J.P. Nadda, critical of the demand until recently, was also quick to take up the cue.

“This decision is extremely important from the point of view of bringing the economically, socially and educationally backward castes into the mainstream and restoring the dignity of the people who have been deprived of their rights for a long time,” he said.

Union minister Amit Shah also posted on X, “The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today… this decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived.”

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan called a press conference on Thursday, May Day, to hail the decision and point out that the principal opposition Congress had never undertaken a caste census because it was ‘historically opposed to it’.

Another union minister, Chirag Paswan, was asked to comment on the Congress manifesto that called for a caste census and on states such as Karnataka, Telangana and Bihar having already conducted caste surveys — and dismissed them as 'non-transparent', or was it too transparent for making the data public, like he complained last month?

Hailing the decision, Paswan said, “It will help bring those sections of society that were not receiving any benefits of government schemes or the reservation policy into the mainstream”.

Various BJP chief ministers were not far behind.

"We welcome #Census 2025, which will further strengthen the agenda of social justice and is a tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur and several other greats," posted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“The Centre's decision to include caste-based data in the upcoming national census is unprecedented and in the interest of 140 crore citizens,” posted Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav reacted by saying, “Another historic decision by the Modi government, committed to Antyodaya… to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census.”

Union minister and former MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “This decision is historic. I heartily congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thank him.”

And there's more gems in our Instagram post below.