Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday questioned its partner BJP's U-turn on caste census after the saffron party supporting the issue earlier. Nitish has been fighting for caste census but for the first time, he has questioned BJP over the issue and asked to explain their earlier stand. Nitish's statement is the backdrop of the several statements issued by the BJP leaders that caste census is not required and can lead to division in society.
"There would be no tension and division in the society due to caste census. Such a statement is completely baseless. There would be happiness in society. Once the caste census is done, it will be a big satisfaction for all the castes. Everyone had supported the caste census. What was there in 2019 when it was proposed with consensus and what changed for the BJP who are reluctant to allow it now. Are they following the footsteps of the Centre on this issue and making such unhealthy statements. Caste census was proposed in both assembly and council after much talk," Nitish said.
During the monsoon session, several BJP leaders had stated that there was no need for any caste census. BJP MLC Sanjay Paswan went on to say that the caste census will divide society on caste lines. BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul had also said that time has come to think above caste and religion.
Taking a dig at all such BJP leaders, Nitish further said, “It is up to the Centre to conduct the caste census and I must say that we are not alone since several states are demanding the same. People should not think that some caste will like it and some not. There is nothing as such, caste census in favour of all the castes. If someone (read BJP leader) is opposing it, they should explain. If the caste census would create tension how come they (read BJP leaders) all supported in 2019. Why did they all support unanimously, tell me?”
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On the last day of the monsoon session on July 30, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had met chief minister Nitish Kumar at his official chamber in Bihar legislative assembly to discuss the caste census issue and had suggested Nitish enumerate caste census on the lines of Karnataka. Today, the JDU delegation led by newly-elected president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah to press the demand for a caste census.
Nitish also said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking time to hold a talk on the caste census. Last month Nitish Kumar had urged the Centre to reconsider its decision and also reminded the BJP led NDA government that the Bihar assembly had passed a proposal in 2019 and 2020 with this regard. Earlier, while replying to a question in Parliament, the union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai had declared that no caste census other than SC, ST will be conducted.
Nitish while speaking to the media on the sidelines of his weekly Janata Durbar further said, “I will politely request everyone to stay united on the opinion of the people of Bihar. Whether it will happen or not is completely up to the Centre but nothing wrong in proposing our side. Caste census is in the favour of the country as well and even inter-relation will become better. I think they are not understanding it, let it be, they will be responsible."
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Patna-based political expert Dr Sanjay Kumar said that Nitish has posed a pertinent question to BJP and it would have some implications in days to come. "Nitish's stand is genuine. Just because the Centre decided not to conduct a caste census, the Bihar BJP leaders are echoing the same. However, I must say that in timing plays a key role in politics. If leaders feel that such a statement suits them then they will do it without fear. I think BJP is doing the same because the Centre has decided not to support caste consensus. Despite all this, if Nitish Ji is raising questions on the BJP while being a part of NDA then it would have some implication because political statements are not issued just for the sake of it,” Dr Sanjay said.
He further said, "By posing questions to BJP, Nitish Ji wants to let them realise why their stand has changed now. He also wants to make them realise that why BJP has two different stands in Centre and state on the same issue. Once the Centre changes its stand, the BJP leaders in the state will also change their stand accordingly which is not correct.”
Politics in Bihar has heated up on the issue of caste census and in the days to come, several other statements would be issued by both BJP and JDU leaders. To take the lead Tejashwi has called a protest on August 7 at all district headquarters to press the demand for a caste census.
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