In a move aimed at addressing caste-based inequality, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced the party’s commitment to dismantling the "artificial barrier" of a 50% limit on reservations.
Speaking in Telangana, which is set to become the second Congress-ruled state after Karnataka to initiate a caste census, Gandhi highlighted the unique challenges posed by caste discrimination in India, calling it "among the worst in the world."
The caste survey, scheduled from November 6 to the end of the month, aims to provide a comprehensive socioeconomic snapshot of the population across Telangana. Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, attended a meeting with local social groups, caste associations, and state leaders, where he stressed the importance of the survey in delivering fairer representation.
The Congress plans to conduct the caste survey alongside economic profiling to better identify poverty levels and population demographics, providing a basis to reassess reservation limits. This initiative, Gandhi believes, will help deliver equitable reservation policies, ensuring rights and representation are allocated fairly.
The state government has recruited 48,000 teachers to carry out the census, with primary schools operating half-days to facilitate the process. The survey will involve house-to-house visits by 85,000 enumerators, gathering detailed data on social, educational, employment, economic, and political backgrounds. Stickers will be placed on the doors of surveyed households, marking completion.
Unlike previous surveys that were limited to educational and employment data under a 1993 mandate, Telangana’s caste census will offer a deeper socioeconomic profile of all castes. Through this initiative, Congress aims to shed light on disparities and create a roadmap toward more inclusive policies.