Make caste census public, says Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

Union minister Ramdas Athawale, a Dalit leader from Maharashtra, has demanded that Socio Economic Caste Census 2011 data be made public for more equitable quota policy.

Athawale, the founder of the Republican Party of India (A), an NDA ally, has said he would take up this demand with PM Modi.

Speaking to reporters, Athawale said: “If SECC-2011 is made public, we would know the exact numbers of different castes and then we can look at our reservation policy. I disagree with the notion that making the census public would increase casteism. In fact, it would help address caste disparities.”


The UPA government in 2011 undertook the Socio-Economic Caste Census to get data on the caste and economic status of every household. The socio-economic data was made public in 2015. But the government has refused to delve into the politically tricky issue of making caste-based data public.

Social justice minister Athawale has been espousing the cause of reservation for economically weaker sections among upper castes too.