Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday backed the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste-based census, calling it a historic step toward inclusive governance. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Bhopal, Chouhan said the move is aimed at “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Kalyan” (Together with all, development for all, welfare of all) and not at promoting caste-based politics.
“I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this decision. This is not about caste politics—it’s about building a foundation for good governance and delivering justice to every section of society. The caste census will be conducted transparently and used in the larger interest of the nation and its people,” Chouhan said.
He took a sharp dig at the Congress, accusing the party of opportunism and hypocrisy on the issue. “When in power, Congress did nothing. When in opposition, they demand caste census. This is classic Congress—saying one thing and doing another. Their promises are like elephant’s teeth—one set to show, another to eat,” he remarked.
Chouhan further accused the Congress and INDIA bloc leaders of competing for credit on the caste census decision. He questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s current support for the move, pointing out the party’s decades-long resistance to it. “For years Congress ruled this country. Why didn’t they conduct a caste census then? Jawaharlal Nehru, their own leader, had written to chief ministers saying he opposed caste-based reservations. Those letters are still on record,” Chouhan stated.
He also alleged that it was the Congress that buried the Kaka Kalelkar Commission report on backward classes. “Congress has always opposed caste-based enumeration. They’ve made hollow promises—from loan waivers to electricity bill cancellations and unemployment allowances. Lying and creating confusion is in their DNA,” he said.