'Caste census merely first step': Tejashwi Yadav writes to PM Modi with 'cautious optimism', bats for private sector quota

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to review the reservation cap once caste census data is available.
"Conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice. The census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The arbitrary cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered," said Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in the Bihar legislative assembly.

The letter follows the Centre’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census. This decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Modi. The announcement was made on April 30 by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Yadav welcomed the move but pointed out that the decision had come late. "For years, your government and the NDA alliance have dismissed calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary. When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its own caste survey, central authorities including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the very necessity of such data collection. Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society."

He also said that the caste census must influence how constituencies are drawn in the upcoming delimitation exercise.
"As a country, we also have a critical opportunity to correct enduring injustices in the upcoming delimitation exercise. The redrawing of constituencies should be sensitive to and reflective of the census data. Special provisions must be made for adequate political representation of OBCs and EBCs who have been systematically excluded from decision-making forums. Hence, they will need to be expanded based on the proportional representation principle in state assemblies and the parliament of India."
Yadav said the results of a national caste census could reflect trends seen in Bihar. "The Bihar caste survey, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute approximately 63% of our state's population, shattered many myths perpetuated to maintain the status quo. Similar patterns are likely to emerge nationwide. I am sure that the revelation that disadvantaged communities form the overwhelming majority of our population while remaining severely underrepresented in positions of power will create a democratic awakening transcending political boundary."
He also raised the issue of inclusivity in the private sector. "The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives. Companies have received substantial benefits—land at concessional rates, power subsidies, tax exemptions, infrastructure support, and various financial incentives—all funded by taxpayer money. In return, it is entirely reasonable to expect them to reflect the social composition of our country. The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies."