Akhilesh Yadav bets on caste census for support

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said he will set up a “telephone line” to conduct a caste census on priority after forming the government, akin to BJP’s system of giving a “missed call” for party membership or support for Citizenship Amendment Act.

Yadav was presiding over a meeting of workers of Mahan Dal, a small party led by Keshav Dev Maurya, representing non-Yadav OBCs like Shakyas, Sainis, Kushwahas, Mauryas, that has allied with the SP in line with Yadav’s strategy of allying with smaller parties for the 2022 polls.

Yadav assured workers that if the Centre does not agree to hold a caste census, the SP would do it after coming to power.


Addressing workers, Yadav said, “They (central government) do not want to do caste census. They created infighting among us backwards that Yadavs are snatching away the rights of other backward classes. This debate has been going on and when elections approach, the debate gets louder,” he said.

“And how long will it take in this age of technology? Everybody has bank records, Jan Dhan data, mobile registrations in villages, Aadhar, voter IDs — there are various means through which information can be collected. Even if we want more information, we will only have to set up a telephone line of 100-200 phones. One could call and get registered automatically — like the BJP did when they asked people to give missed calls. We will do the same. Pick up the phone — if you are Shakya, Saini or Kushwaha or Maurya then press one, if you are Yadav, press three; the census would be done on its own,” Yadav said.

Last week, BSP chief Mayawati too reiterated her demand for the census, saying if the Centre takes any positive step towards this direction, the BSP will support it both within and outside Parliament.