Congress Applauds Karpoori Thakur’s Bharat Ratna and Calls for a Caste Census to Determine True Tribute

Karpoori Thakur: An Advocate for Social Equity
Bihar’s twice-appointed chief minister, Karpoori Thakur, is considered a social justice activist by many. He promoted a caste census in order to identify and rectify the discrepancies experienced by underprivileged populations since he felt that the country’s progress could not be finished without tackling social imbalances. On the other hand, a caste census has not been supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress’s Disapproval of the BJP
The BJP administration has been under fire from the Congress party for allegedly hiding the results of the 2011 social and economic caste census and refusing to carry out a national caste census. Congress lawmakers have said that the BJP is trying to undermine the social justice movement by hiding information about differences in caste.

Paying Tribute to Rahul Gandhi and Demanding a Caste Census
Karpoori Thakur was praised by Congressman Rahul Gandhi, who called him an unparalleled social justice champion. Although he applauded the choice to bestow the Bharat Ratna posthumously, he underlined the need of actual justice as opposed to just symbolic awards. A caste census, according to Gandhi, would be a fitting remembrance of Thakur’s battles for the rights of the underprivileged and disadvantaged groups.

Congress Requests a National Caste Count
Reiterating the demand for a national caste census, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that it would be a fitting homage to Karpoori Thakur. He attacked the Modi administration for not releasing the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census findings and for not pledging to conduct a new statewide caste census.

The Congress party is calling for a caste census in tandem with its support for Karpoori Thakur’s Bharat Ratna. A caste census, according to the party, is necessary to guarantee participatory justice, one of the five pillars of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and to alleviate societal disparities. The Congress expects that in response to its demand, the administration would move decisively in the direction of equality and social justice.