Despite pressure from allies and some sections within, the BJP-led Central Government had managed to put a lid so far on demands for a caste-based census. The MP also questioned the Congress for not publishing the caste census in 2011. BJP sources said Sanghmitra Maurya’s pitch for a caste-based census has “embarrassed the party”. The SP and BSP — both key BJP rivals in UP — have lent their weight to demands for a caste-based census. Pointing out that his party, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has put forward the suggestion, he said: “There has been no caste census since 1931.

Source: Indian Express August 10, 2021 18:51 UTC