Demand for OBC census

NEW DELHI: Cutting across party lines, political leaders today demanded a census to ascertain the OBC population and its economic and educational staus in the country and accused the government of going back on its promise over the issue.

Janata Dal (United) Chief Sharad Yadav, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, Gopinath Munde from BJP and National Secretary of CPI Atul Kumar Anjan said OBC census is required to frame effective policies for the group which constitutes more than half of nation's population.

"In India, everyone is being counted. Right from humans to animals, birds and even trees but I am surprised why the government is so reluctant when it comes to counting the numbers of deprived people and mostly the OBCs," Yadav said while addressing the national meet of All India Muslim OBC Organisation here.

He also exhorted the people from backward castes to treat their votes as a "weapon" and seek their rights.

"Nowadays votes are being sold but I want to remind the dalits that vote is the most potent weapon you have. Do remember that votes and the dignity of daughters are never sold," he said.

Munde accused the government for "cheating" the OBCs and not ascertaining their numbers in the recent census.

"Government has cheated the OBCs. They had said in Parliament that OBCs too will be counted in the Census but that did not happen. They say they are doing some kind of survey but that will not be a solution," he said.

The BJP leader said acensus is necessary to gather facts about the economic, educational and professional status of the OBCs which will not be fulfilled by a survey.

"After 1931, no OBC census took place. Today we comprise almost 62 per cent of the country's population. Just like there is a separate ministry for SCs and STs, we demand a separate ministry for OBC with a dedicate fund," he said.