Congress Questions Census Form's Caste Query, Demands Broader Consultations

• Congress criticizes Census 2027's Houselisting and Housing Census form for asking about SC/ST or 'Other' instead of explicitly OBC and General categories.
• Jairam Ramesh highlights the Modi government's previous rejection of a caste census, citing Lok Sabha answers and Supreme Court affidavits.
• The Congress points out PM Modi's past remarks against those demanding a caste census, calling it an 'urban naxal mindset'.
• The party demands immediate dialogue with political parties, state governments, and civil society organizations before finalizing caste enumeration details.
• Census 2027, delayed due to COVID-19, will be conducted in two phases: houselisting (April-September) and population enumeration (February 2027).

Why It Matters: Congress questions the census form's caste question, demanding broader consultations for a fair caste enumeration.