Last Updated:May 01, 2025, 12:38 IST

Gandhi is left without a weapon six months ahead of Bihar election and this may not just affect the electoral fortune of the Congress but also harm its likely ally RJD

Beyond what the future may hold, the present clearly puts BJP in a politically advantageous position. (PTI)

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the three service chiefs and the CDS on Tuesday, followed by the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday morning, expectations from the Cabinet Committee for Political Affairs were a ratification in that direction. But what came next was a surprise for not only India’s political opposition but also most Indians—the Centre agreeing to the caste census.

The untimely announcement caught most opposition parties that have roots in supposed ‘samajwad’ unawares. Even the Congress, which has been espousing the cause for a long time, was left scrambling for a response.

TIMING SUPREME

The timing of the announcement seems to be deliberate. Bihar elections are scheduled between October and November this year. Bihar was the first state in India, albeit in a non-NDA government, that went for a caste survey. Considered the most caste-sensitive state where SCs constitute 19.65 per cent of the population, STs make up 1.68 per cent, and OBCs account for 27.12 per cent, Bihar is set to see elections in just six months where BJP will be seen as the one who implemented a long-standing demand.

Moreover, it also sends out a message to the people at large that while India is focused on avenging the Pahalgam massacre, unlike Pakistan, life—and politics—have not come to a standstill. In fact, India is entrenched in forward planning.

DEFLATING RG’s KEY WEAPON?

What the announcement also did was deflate a big weapon of Rahul Gandhi before the key Bihar Battle. Gandhi, who has been championing the issue of caste census and coined the phrase ‘Jitna Aabadi, Utna Haq’ (rights according to population), is now left without a weapon six months ahead of Bihar election. This may not just affect the electoral fortune of the Congress—unless it creates another equally potent issue—it may also harm its likely ally RJD.

In a press conference, Gandhi took credit for the government’s decision. “We had said in the Parliament that we will make Caste census happen. We had also said that we would scrap the 50 per cent cap, the artificial wall, that is in place. Don’t know what happened but suddenly after 11 years, Caste census has been announced.” He later tweeted that his “pressure worked”.

Though BJP was quick to counter this with the party’s Amit Malviya saying: “Rahul Gandhi must stop taking credit for the government’s decision on the caste census. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already indicated on September 18, 2024, that the announcement was forthcoming.” Malviya was referring to Shah’s comments in a press conference marking 100 days of the third term of the NDA government where Shah said any decision on conducting a caste census will be “made public”.

WHAT NEXT?

While BJP has surprised its opponents and seized the day, many seem to question what next and how far the BJP can go in future?

This is pertinent because Rahul Gandhi made it clear in Wednesday’s press conference that he does not intend to stop here. He has listed his next course of actions that include removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations that he called “arbitrary”, implement a central law for SC/ST sub-plan and guarantee budget allocations. If that’s not all, Gandhi has also declared his mission of implementing reservation in private education.

“This is the will of the people of India and the Modi government has no option but to follow it,” he said.

BJP’s Malviya has reminded Gandhi that Congress itself woke up to the issue late. “In 2011, the Congress-led UPA government initiated the Socio-Economic and Caste census, which included a caste component—the first such attempt since 1931,” he hit back. He further accused the Congress of failing to release the caste data, citing ‘inconsistencies’.

Beyond what the future may hold, the present clearly puts BJP in a politically advantageous position, even though it has taken a U-turn from its stated position where it consistently attacked opposition parties for backing caste census. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave the clarion call of ‘Batenge Toh Katenge’ during the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh as he urged the Hindu community in India to stay united, while PM Modi’s ‘Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain’ slogan was credited for the Maharashtra assembly poll win.

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