Kharge Demands Action: Nation Won’t Progress Unless SC/ST and OBC Communities Move Forward

News Flash

01 May

Reported: Vishal Mayur

Congress President Calls for Increased Reservation Cap and Timely Caste Census Implementation

Bengaluru: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that India's progress is intrinsically linked to the advancement of SC/ST and OBC communities, emphasizing that the nation cannot move forward without uplifting these groups. He made these remarks during the Poura Karmikara Dinacharane event organised by the Government of Karnataka and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Kharge highlighted the Congress government's initiative in regularizing the services of 12,692 Poura Karmikas, expressing a commitment to extend this regularization to other civic workers across various local government bodies.

Addressing the recent announcement by the Central Government to include caste details in the upcoming census, Kharge welcomed the move but labeled it an "eyewash" due to the insufficient allocation of ₹575 crore for the nationwide exercise. He pointed out that Karnataka alone had spent ₹165 crore on its caste census, questioning the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive national survey with the allocated funds . 

Kharge reiterated the Congress party's long-standing demand for a caste census, noting that during the UPA government's tenure, a Socio-Economic Caste Census was initiated in 2010, but the subsequent BJP government did not release the report. He highlighted that accurate caste data is essential for implementing social justice programs effectively. (India will include caste details in its next census)

In his address, Kharge urged the Central Government to fulfill three key demands:

1. Conduct a comprehensive caste census with adequate funding and a fixed timeline.

2. Implement Article 15(5) to provide special provisions for the advancement of SC/ST/OBC communities.

3. Remove the 50% reservation cap, increasing it to 68%, aligning with states like Tamil Nadu . (Caste census: Allocate sufficient funds, fix time limit, Kharge tells ..., Increase reservation to 68 per cent Mallikarjun Kharge urges Centre)

He warned that failure to address these demands could lead to public agitation as communities seek to secure their rights.

Kharge also criticised the Modi government's approach to public sector undertakings (PSUs), accusing it of closing them and favouring private entities, thereby reducing employment opportunities for SC/ST/OBC communities.