The volte-face on the caste census issue underscores how partisan lenses shape Indian politics. When senior Congressmen and Leader of Opposition at Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi campaigned for a new caste count, critics in the ruling party and sections of the media branded the demand as “divisive” and “opportunistic.”

But when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet approved a nationwide caste enumeration, it has been hailed as “historic,” “unprecedented,” and even a “masterstroke.”

In politics, as the saying goes, where you stand depends on where you sit. The clash over the caste census offers a revealing case study of competing narratives and how political storytelling shapes public perception.

Rahul Gandhi’s Push And Congress Perspective

Rahul Gandhi embraced the caste census as a roadmap for social justice, insisting it would reveal hidden inequalities in society.

In multiple speeches and interviews, he described it as an “X-ray of society” that would expose how underrepresented marginalised communities—especially Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs—really are in education, employment, and governance.

The Congress party presented the caste census as a long-overdue step, vowing to lift the 50% reservation cap in parallel with updated data.

The party even proposed using state-level surveys, like Telangana’s, as a model for a national framework.

Following the Cabinet’s recent decision, Congress leaders were quick to call it a victory for their long-standing demand.

Jairam Ramesh said it was “better late than never,” and several others called it a step toward a fairer and more inclusive India. For many in the Congress ecosystem, this was vindication—their vision finally acknowledged, even if not credited.

Modi Government’s Announcement And BJP Response

On April 30, 2025, the Modi-led Cabinet approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the next nationwide census.

The government explained that this was meant to bring transparency and consistency, especially after some opposition-ruled states had conducted their own caste-based surveys.

This time, the BJP framed the census as a social justice tool. Union ministers and senior leaders described the move as a milestone that would help uplift economically and socially backward communities.

BJP chief JP Nadda called it an “historic measure,” and Home Minister Amit Shah said it would “empower the deprived.”

At the same time, BJP spokespersons reminded the public that previous Congress-led governments never pushed through a caste census when they had the chance. This was presented as yet another example of Congress’s selective politics.

From "Divisive" To "Decisive": The Shift In Media And Narrative

The most striking part of this entire episode is how drastically the media narrative flipped depending on who made the announcement.

When Rahul Gandhi advocated for the caste census, it was largely painted as a polarising move. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders openly accused him of trying to divide Hindus and disrupt the social fabric.

In contrast, when the Modi government made the same proposal, the tone of coverage changed overnight. Media headlines declared it a bold and historic move.

Commentators lauded it as a game-changer, conveniently brushing aside that the same idea was previously mocked.

The message was clear: the merit of a policy, in today’s hyper-partisan environment, depends on who presents it.

Caste Census: Substance Vs Symbolism

For the Indian public, this back-and-forth raises critical questions. What exactly will the caste census measure? When will it happen? Will the data be made public? Will it actually lead to stronger affirmative action or simply become another symbolic gesture lost in the files of bureaucracy?

The fear is that without a clear roadmap, the announcement may remain a talking point rather than a transformative policy.

We have seen other “historic” bills, like the Women’s Reservation Bill, being passed with fanfare and then left unimplemented.

The government must now show that this is more than an election-season announcement. The real test lies in execution—ensuring that the caste data is gathered, analysed, and most importantly, used to inform just and inclusive policy.

In Conclusion

The caste census debate reflects the broader reality of Indian politics: perception often overshadows principle. When the Congress proposed it, it was dubbed divisive.

When the BJP announced it, it became decisive. The same policy, two diametrically opposite reactions.

It is up to citizens, journalists, and thinkers to look beyond the party colours and judge policies for what they are—not who announces them.

Caste data, if handled sincerely, can be a powerful tool for empowerment. But if used merely as a political tool, it will serve only the ruling narrative of the day.

In the end, the question is not just who gets the credit—but what is done with it.

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