Janata Dal(U) seeks early decision on caste in census issue

Accusing the UPA of dragging its feet on the issue of including caste in census, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] today asked the government to make its stand clear on the matter without any further delay.

"Political consensus has already been achieved in Parliament. Now the government has to take a decision," JD(U) president Sharad Yadav told reporters in New Delhi.

In a letter to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee who is heading the GoM on the issue of including caste in census, Yadav said, "Political parties have already expressed their opinions in the Lok Sabha and the government is well aware of their opinion.

"So instead of wasting time, the government must state in clear terms whether it wants to respect the opinion of the Lok Sabha or not," he said.

However, Yadav also demanded setting up of a commission "to eradicate caste system" in the society.

"Why not set up a commission to eradicate disparity in society," Yadav told reporters, adding there was no contradiction in this demand and the one on inclusion of caste in census.

Terming the decision to refer the matter to  GoM as "unwarranted", he said, "First of all it (government) did not take up the issue of caste census during many cabinet meetings. After wasting some weeks, it took up the issue and decided to form a GoM, which was unwarranted."

He said that the government seemed to be under the influence "conservative elements, which do not want a just society in India.

"By dragging its feet on inclusion of caste in census, the Centre is showing its lack of commitment for a just society because without proper caste data we cannot remove caste disparities and caste system," he said.