Stalin urges Modi to consult States before finalising caste enumeration rules for Census

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure that the Union government adopts a consultative approach with all States and Union Territories before finalising the guidelines for enumerating castes in the forthcoming Population Census.

In his letter, Mr. Stalin urged Mr. Modi to put in place a consultative mechanism involving Chief Ministers and representatives of States to discuss and refine the guidelines for caste enumeration and to exercise due diligence in designing the framework, including pilot-testing where necessary, to safeguard the sensitivity of the process and ensure the data’s reliability for advancing social justice.

The Chief Minister said enumeration of caste in the national Census had far-reaching implications for social justice, equitable policymaking, and the federal structure of the nation.

He welcomed the decision of the Centre to include caste details in the Census, saying it aligns with the long-standing demand of the Tamil Nadu government for comprehensive, reliable data to address historical inequalities and ensure targeted welfare measures.

“Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of this demand, with our Legislative Assembly passing resolutions urging the Union government to conduct a caste-based census alongside the decadal population enumeration. This decision vindicates our consistent advocacy for evidence-based social justice,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said caste enumeration was an exceedingly sensitive matter that touches upon deep-rooted social dynamics, regional variations in caste structures, and had the potential to cause unintended societal tensions if not handled with the utmost care. The framing of questions, categories, sub-categories, and the methodology for data collection must be precise, inclusive and free from ambiguity to ensure accuracy and public trust. Any shortcomings in these aspects could lead to disputes, inaccuracies, or even exacerbate divisions, the Chief Minister pointed out.

Although the Census is a Union subject, its outcomes profoundly impact State-level policies on education, employment, reservations, and welfare schemes. It is imperative that the Union government consults all States and Union Territories before finalising the guidelines and questionnaire. Such consultation would allow incorporation of diverse perspectives, account for State-specific nuances, and foster cooperative federalism in this critical exercise, he added.