DK Shivakumar Claims Caste Census as Congress’s Brainchild, Credit Rahul Gandhi
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress chief DK Shivakumar has hailed the Centre’s choice to incorporate caste enumeration within the upcoming nationwide census as a victory for the Congress occasion, calling it the occasion’s “brainchild” and crediting Rahul Gandhi’s persistent advocacy for pressuring the BJP-led authorities into motion. Shivakumar’s remarks, made on Might 1, 2025, in Bengaluru, have sparked a political tug-of-war over credit score for the transfer, with Congress celebrating it as a triumph of their social justice agenda whereas the BJP insists the choice aligns with their clear governance imaginative and prescient. This text dives into Shivakumar’s claims, the broader context, and the polarized reactions, drawing on current experiences from NDTV, The Hans India, India Right now, and sentiment on X.
Shivakumar’s Statements
Chatting with reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence on Might 1, 2025, Shivakumar declared, “Rahul Gandhi has mentioned that the caste census have to be time-bound. The Centre should set a deadline to complete this exercise.” He emphasised that the Centre’s settlement to conduct a caste census was a direct results of Gandhi’s relentless marketing campaign, stating, “The Centre has now yielded to his demand and brought a step in that route.” In an unique NDTV interview on Might 3, 2025, Shivakumar reiterated, “Caste census is Congress’s brainchild,” expressing satisfaction that the BJP-led authorities “lastly determined” to implement it. He added that Karnataka’s Congress authorities would cooperate absolutely, reflecting the occasion’s dedication to social justice for all sections of society.
Shivakumar additionally tied the caste census to Karnataka’s personal efforts, noting that the state carried out a caste survey in 2015 underneath Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, although its findings stay contentious and unimplemented. He framed the nationwide census transfer as a validation of Congress’s long-standing push for data-driven affirmative motion to uplift backward and marginalized communities.
Rahul Gandhi’s Position
Rahul Gandhi, the Chief of the Opposition within the Lok Sabha, has been a vocal advocate for a nationwide caste census since not less than 2019, intensifying his marketing campaign throughout the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress’s manifesto promised a “nation-wide socio-economic and caste census” to enumerate castes, sub-castes, and their socio-economic situations. Gandhi’s public statements, together with a Might 3, 2025, X put up, framed the census as a combat towards exclusion: “BJP known as the Caste Census divisive. I known as it the reality. For years, we fought for it—as a result of India can not develop if 90% of its individuals are excluded.”
Gandhi has pointed to state fashions like Telangana’s caste survey, carried out in 2024 underneath Congress CM Revanth Reddy, as a blueprint for the Centre, urging a committee to check it. Congress leaders, together with Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and occasion president Mallikarjun Kharge, echoed Shivakumar, crediting Gandhi’s “sustained advocacy” for forcing the BJP’s hand. Kharge additionally pushed for elevating the reservation quota cap from 50% to 68%, aligning with Gandhi’s name to scrap the ceiling for backward communities.
The Centre’s Determination
On April 30, 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced that the Cupboard Committee on Political Affairs had accredited together with caste enumeration within the decennial census, a Union topic underneath Article 246. Vaishnaw emphasised transparency, arguing that state-level caste surveys (e.g., Karnataka, Bihar) lacked uniformity and have been typically “carried out purely from a political angle.” The choice, described by India Right now as a “surgical strike” on Congress’s narrative, caught the Opposition off guard, because the BJP had traditionally resisted such a census, labeling it divisive.
Political Reactions
- Congress’s Victory Lap: Congress swiftly claimed credit score, with posters in Delhi and Hyderabad that includes Gandhi’s picture and slogans like “The world bows, we’d like the one who makes that occur.” In Hyderabad, employees poured milk on Gandhi and Reddy’s posters in a conventional celebration. The occasion’s X account posted repeatedly, calling the choice a “important victory” for Gandhi and activists, accusing the BJP of mocking him earlier.
- BJP’s Counterclaim: BJP leaders, together with Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, dismissed Congress’s narrative, accusing Gandhi of “mendacity for claiming credit score.” Kashyap argued the census would observe PM Modi’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” mantra, making certain social justice transparently, and claimed Congress ignored Dalits and backward lessons throughout its 60-year rule.
- Allies and Critics: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, a Congress ally, credited Gandhi’s decade-long advocacy however questioned the timing, suggesting the BJP introduced it to distract from the Pahalgam terror assault and acquire electoral benefit in Bihar and West Bengal. The Print famous the irony of media praising the BJP’s “masterstroke” whereas having criticized Gandhi’s equivalent demand as divisive months earlier.
Broader Context and Implications
The caste census debate touches deep fault traces in Indian politics. Congress argues it’s important for focused affirmative motion, revealing under-representation of OBCs, SCs, and STs in energy buildings—Gandhi usually cites that 90% of India’s inhabitants holds solely 10% of high bureaucratic posts. The BJP, cautious of alienating upper-caste voters, had resisted till electoral pressures, notably after losses within the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, prompted a reversal.
Karnataka’s 2015 caste survey, which Shivakumar referenced, stays a sore level. BJP’s R. Ashoka criticized it as “flawed and opaque,” claiming even Gandhi favored Telangana’s mannequin over Karnataka’s. Siddaramaiah, nonetheless, urged the Centre to incorporate socio-economic and academic knowledge, drawing from Karnataka’s expertise. The nationwide census, anticipated to start in 2026, might reshape reservation insurance policies, particularly if the 50% quota cap is revisited, as Gandhi and Kharge advocate.
Sentiment on X
X posts mirror a polarized narrative:
- Professional-Congress: @INCIndia’s posts celebrated Gandhi’s “steadfast dedication,” claiming the BJP “relented” underneath his stress. Customers like @vibewidyou shared photos of Congress posters crediting Gandhi.
- Professional-BJP: Customers like @suresh_kashyap_ praised Modi’s transparency, accusing Gandhi of falsely claiming credit score. Others questioned Congress’s inaction throughout its rule.
- Impartial/Essential: Some, like @theprintindia, highlighted the hypocrisy of media shops that criticized Gandhi’s caste census push however now laud the BJP’s choice.
Essential Evaluation
Shivakumar’s declare that the caste census is Congress’s “brainchild” is partly correct—Gandhi’s advocacy since 2019, amplified in 2024, undeniably pressured the BJP, as acknowledged by allies like Raut and Karnataka’s Congress management. Nevertheless, the BJP’s strategic timing, as famous by India Right now and Raut, suggests electoral motives, particularly with Bihar’s caste-sensitive polls looming. Congress’s narrative dangers oversimplification, as historic leaders like Rajiv Gandhi opposed caste-based insurance policies, favoring a “casteless society.” The BJP’s adoption of the census, whereas a coverage U-turn, aligns with their broader pivot to enchantment to OBC voters post-2024 losses.
The controversy over credit score obscures sensible challenges. Mint notes the 50% reservation cap, upheld by the Supreme Court docket since 1992, complicates implementing census findings, requiring constitutional amendments for greater quotas. Jairam Ramesh raised legitimate considerations concerning the Centre’s price range and preparedness, suggesting potential delays. Karnataka’s personal survey, mired in leaks and political disputes, underscores the complexity of executing a clear nationwide census.
Conclusion
DK Shivakumar’s assertion that the caste census is Congress’s brainchild, pushed by Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy, displays the occasion’s narrative of forcing the BJP’s hand after years of resistance. Whereas Gandhi’s marketing campaign undeniably formed the discourse, the BJP’s choice additionally serves its electoral technique, resulting in a heated battle over credit score. The census, if executed transparently, might remodel India’s social justice framework, however logistical and authorized hurdles stay. For extra on Karnataka’s caste survey, the Telangana mannequin, or evolving X sentiment, let me know, and I can dig deeper
