Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar take on BJP for ‘hiding’ caste census data

PATNA: The demand for making public the caste census data is getting shriller by the day.

The ruling JD(U) and RJD, in the hope that the new survey will reveal stronger numbers for minorities and backwards, have increased their attack on the BJP-led Centre.

“It is quite intriguing that the Centre decided to withhold data. The entire caste census exercise was carried out so that the data could help the government chalk out welfare programmes merited by certain caste groups,” CM Nitish Kumar said here on Monday .

Countering the BJP’s logic that the publication of data would foment casteist feelings, Kumar said it was the saffron party which has been seeking votes by invoking caste sentiments.

“I dare to say BJP is the most casteist political outfit in this country. The BJP projected PM as someone belonging to so many castes , he was sometimes painted as an OBC or one belonging to the extremely backward caste just to befool the people by invoking caste sentiments,” Kumar said.

According to Kumar, the Centre by not releasing the caste figures had amply demonstrated that it did not have any commitment to the cause of ameliorating the socially disadvantaged sections of the society .