Revanth Reddy said the decision demonstrated that 'what Telangana does today, India follows tomorrow.'
Published Apr 30, 2025 | 8:27 PM ⚊ Updated May 01, 2025 | 3:18 PM
The Modi government’s decision also comes at a time when the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has been demanding a nationwide caste census.
Synopsis: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the 2026 National Census, calling it a validation of their respective state-led surveys and a step toward equitable policymaking. While Reddy credited Telangana’s initiative for setting a national precedent, Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to also incorporate socio-economic and educational data, and questioned the BJP’s Karnataka unit for opposing his state’s survey findings. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, meanwhile, urged the Centre make good on its promise to ensure transparency.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming 2026 National Census, calling it a validation of his government’s pioneering efforts in conducting a similar survey.
“Telangana became the first state to conduct a caste survey last year. Based on the report tabled in the Telangana State Legislative Assembly, the state resolved to propose 42 percent reservations for Other Backward Classes in education, employment, and political representation,” Revanth Reddy wrote in a post on X.
“The Indian National Congress in Telangana extended this effort across the country, including in the national capital, and organised protests demanding that the central government agree to a caste census. Today, we have demonstrated that what Telangana does today, India follows tomorrow.”
Based on the vision and direction of
Shri @RahulGandhi Ji who first demanded a nation-wide Caste Census during his historic #BharatJodoYatra Telangana is the first State to conduct caste survey last year.
This was the first in Independent #India, the last one being in 1931 by… pic.twitter.com/7dNABdwqM7
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) April 30, 2025
The Union Cabinet’s decision, taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on Wednesday, follows states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Bihar that have carried out their own socio-economic, educational, and caste surveys to design policies of social justice.
The Modi government’s decision also comes at a time when the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has been demanding a nationwide caste census.
“It is a proud moment that Rahul Gandhi’s vision has influenced national policy, even from the opposition,” Revanth Reddy continued.
“We take pride in the fact that the actions of the Telangana government in empowering OBC communities have inspired the nation. India has now agreed to follow the lead of our state.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah similarly welcomed the Centre’s decision, and urged for the inclusion of more criterion.
“Our government wholeheartedly welcomes the decision of the Central Government to conduct a caste census along with the population census. On this occasion, I urge the Central Government to conduct a social, economic and educational survey along with the caste census,” he said.
He noted that it was a welcome development that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and governments led by it – once critical of caste surveys as divisive – had finally recognised their social relevance.
The veteran Congress leader further questioned Karnataka BJP leaders for opposing the socio-economic and educational survey already conducted by his government.
ಜನಗಣತಿ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾತಿ ಗಣತಿಯನ್ನೂ ನಡೆಸುವ ಕೇಂದ್ರ @BJP4India ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ತೀರ್ಮಾನವನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದೇ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾತಿ ಗಣತಿ ಜೊತೆ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ, ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆಯನ್ನೂ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕೆಂದು @narendramodi ಅವರ ಸರ್ಕಾರವನ್ನು ಆಗ್ರಹಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು… pic.twitter.com/I4CV6blyfp
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 30, 2025
“I request Prime Minister Modi to ask for reasons from BJP state unit leaders for opposing our survey report. The report of the socio-economic and educational survey that we conducted in Karnataka is ready. BJP leaders in the state are opposing it, giving various reasons. Based on this survey, there has also been an attempt to revise the reservation and increase the current limit of 50 percent,” he said.
“In Karnataka, we have not only conducted a caste census but also a survey of social, economic and educational conditions. Based on this data, an attempt has also been made to revise the current reservation policy and increase its limits. The basic purpose of the caste-based social, economic and educational survey is to formulate a scientific reservation policy. The Central Government should note that the Supreme Court has been emphasising the need for such a survey every time cases related to reservation come up for hearing.”
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President and Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi, further credited the Congress for Telangana’s caste survey and the subsequent legislation.
“This was an urgent and long-pending demand of many groups. I have also raised this demand since 2021,” he wrote in a post on X.
“I extend my congratulations and thanks to the Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, for his leadership in implementing the historic caste census in Telangana.”
The Centre has agreed to include caste data in the upcoming census exercise. This was needed urgently & it was a long-pending demand of many groups. I’d also made the same demand since 2021.
I congratulate and thank Telangana CM @revanth_anumula garu for his leadership in…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 30, 2025
Furthermore, he called for the BJP-led Union Government to demonstrate ‘intellectual honesty’ and deliver on its promise to conduct a ‘transparent survey that addresses the credibility concerns raised by various state-led initiatives’.
“There is now an urgent need for proper data on the backwardness of Muslims, including the various castes and groups among them. Data from the NSSO [National Sample Survey Office] and other sources clearly demonstrate that Muslims are economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged. The BJP has opposed Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Muslims, and it has also opposed reservations for backward Muslim communities,” he wrote.
“It is now for the BJP to demonstrate intellectual honesty. Data must be collected transparently and made publicly available. Government policies must be consistent with the findings of the census. The most backward communities deserve their fair share in education and employment.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Rashmi Patil)
