The Supreme Court of India refused to entertain a PIL challenging the procedure for recording caste details in the 2027 Census. However, the Court asked the Centre and census authorities to consider the petitioner’s suggestions on transparency and verification.
Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court commented on Maharashtra’s OBC reservation system, likening it to a crowded train compartment, stopping new arrivals. During hearings on delayed local elections, he stressed the need for inclusivity in reservations and identified the need for more classification within OBCs to genuinely support the truly disadvantaged groups.
The demand for a nationwide caste census in India, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, is generating political controversy. While Gandhi argues it will address inequities by providing essential demographic data, BJP leaders criticize it as a “divisive” tactic. Former CJI U.U. Lalit supports the census, emphasizing its potential to enhance equitable policymaking.
Today(3rd August), Union Minister Chirag Paswan opposed the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing states to create sub-groups within Scheduled Castes for the 15% quota and announced his party, the Lok Janshakti Party, will appeal. Paswan also supported a caste census, as demanded by Rahul Gandhi, but stressed that the results should not be made public.
