PM Modi yet to reply to my letter on caste census: Bihar CM

PATNA: Reiterating his demand for a caste-based census in the country, chief minister (CM) Nitish Kumar on Monday said PM Narendra Modi was yet to respond to his letter on the issue. “The letter written by me was received by the PMO on August 4. The reply, however, is yet to come,” Nitish told mediapersons here.
Nitish had earlier written to the PM seeking his appointment so that a Bihar delegation of all-party MLAs could meet him to discuss the issue of caste-based census.
“It is our strong desire that the headcount is held caste-wise during the census. Once the caste-based census is held, the data about a particular caste will be available. Benefits of development schemes will then be made available to all. Caste-based census is in the interest of all castes and social groups,” Nitish said.
He added the demand for caste census was driven by social concerns, not political. “It now depends on the Centre. This issue is now being discussed in many other states,” the CM said.
The Centre’s proposal to hold caste census only for SCs and STs has triggered protests in different states, including in politically sensitive Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. The Centre had informed the Parliament last month that a headcount of only the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes was proposed. In Bihar, the ruling JD(U) and opposition RJD are on the same page on the issue.
Asked whether the Bihar government would hold a caste-based census on its own in case of no positive response from the PM, Nitish said, “For this, we will hold talks with all political parties and other stakeholders. Census is conducted for the entire country at the same time. Earlier, the Karnataka government had once held a separate caste census. It would be better if the caste census is held by the Centre across the country. If a separate caste census is required in Bihar, we will hold talks with all stakeholders. But I have not said anything about holding a separate caste census in Bihar. Our demand is that caste census be held across the country.”
Nitish said the last caste census in the country was held in 1931. “It should be held at least once more so that people can know the exact population of different castes. It is in the interest of all. It is necessary for the development of all social groups,” Nitish said.
No factionalism in JD(U): Nitish
Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said there was no factionalism in the ruling JD(U). “There is no dispute over elevation of Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh as the party president,” Nitish said.
Reacting to the poster controversy in the party, he said, “Some people have a hobby of getting something published somewhere, but such people are not properly aware about the party’s functioning. In December, I had said that I want to give responsibility of the party to RCP Singh. Everyone had welcomed it. RCP then started working as the party president. When RCP became the Union minister, he said it would be better if Lalan takes over the charge of party president. Lalan is a very senior man. He has been in the party since the days of Samata Party,” Nitish said.