On the issue of the caste census, Mayawati has targeted both BJP and Congress. She accused them of racing to take credit for the central government's decision to conduct a caste census alongside the national census, asserting themselves as OBC advocates. Despite this, due to their historical anti-majoritarian stance, these communities remain marginalized, oppressed, and disadvantaged.
Mayawati further stated that had Congress and BJP genuinely had honest intentions and policies for the betterment of majoritarian groups, the OBC community would have already become an equal partner in national development. This would have realized Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's mission of 'self-respect and self-pride.' As a result of the relentless struggle by Baba Saheb and the BSP, the OBC community is now increasingly aware, highlighting the necessity and self-interest of these parties to appeal to OBC voters, similar to Dalit voters. Clearly, the true interests of OBCs are safeguarded within the BSP.
There has been a longstanding demand for a caste census. Recently, the central government made a significant decision to include a caste count in the 2025 census. On Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the government's decision in a Cabinet Committee meeting on political affairs and emphasized that the census, a federal matter, will now account for caste counts as well. Vaishnaw pointed out that previous regional caste surveys lacked transparency.
Immediately following this decision, Mayawati welcomed it, stating that conducting a 'caste census' alongside the national census is a delayed yet positive step by the central government. The BSP has long advocated for this and hopes that the government will implement this 'census for public welfare' decision in a timely manner.
