Lalu Yadav's Threat To BJP, RSS Over Caste Census Demand: 'We Shall Catch Them By Their Ears And...'

Caste census news: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav slammed the RSS's conditional support for caste census, stating that he would make BJP and RSS leaders do sit-ups to get it done.

Caste Census In India: Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said that if the BJP opposed a caste census, he would make the leaders of the party and its parent organisation, the RSS, do sit-ups to have the same done. Lalu Prasad Yadav was reacting to the RSS's conditional support for caste census.

The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, during its three-day Samanway Baithak in Kerala on Monday, said that it was not against collection of census data for specific communities for their welfare. It also cautioned against the use of the data for political gains. RSS's Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said, "Caste should be handled with the utmost seriousness, beyond mere electoral considerations. The RSS supports data collection if it aids in welfare activities targeting communities or castes that are lagging behind. The government has historically used such data for developmental purposes, and we see no problem with that as long as it is not used as a political tool for electioneering."

The caste census demand was a major poll plank for the Opposition before the Lok Sabha elections. 

'We Shall Force Them': Lalu On RSS's Stance

Reacting to the RSS's stance, Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday, September 3, said that the Opposition will force the ruling coalition to conduct a caste census. "We shall catch the RSS/BJP people by their years, make them do sit-ups and get the caste census done. What authority do they have to refuse a caste census? We shall force them to conduct the caste census. The time has come for the Dalits, backward, tribals and poor to show unity," Lalu Prasad Yadav posted on X.

We'll Get Caste Census Done: Congress

The Congress, too, slammed the RSS for its stand on caste census. Earlier on Monday, the party alleged that the RSS had openly opposed the caste census. "RSS says caste census is not good for the society. It is clear from this statement that the BJP and the RSS do not want to conduct a caste census. They do not want to give Dalits, backward classes and tribals their rights. But there will be a caste census and Congress will get it done," it posted on X.