Bihar Caste Census Report: CM Nitish Lauds Survey Team, BJP's Giriraj Singh Says 'Just An Eye Wash'

The Bihar caste census report revealed population statistics as well as political reactions. While CM Nitish congratulated the survey team, Giriraj Singh referred to it as an 'eye wash'.

(L-R) Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav

Source : Getty Images

The eagerly awaited report of the caste-based census in Bihar was unveiled on Monday (October 2). According to the findings, Bihar's total population stands at over 13 crore. Among this vast populace, the backward class constitutes 27.13%, the extremely backward class accounts for 36.01%, while the general category represents 15.52%. The release of this comprehensive report has triggered a flurry of reactions within the political arena.

Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, took to Twitter to express his sentiments, stating, "Today, on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the data of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been published. Many congratulations to the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration. The proposal for caste-based enumeration was passed unanimously in the Legislature."

आज गांधी जयंती के शुभ अवसर पर बिहार में कराई गई जाति आधारित गणना के आंकड़े प्रकाशित कर दिए गए हैं। जाति आधारित गणना के कार्य में लगी हुई पूरी टीम को बहुत-बहुत बधाई !

जाति आधारित गणना के लिए सर्वसम्मति से विधानमंडल में प्रस्ताव पारित किया गया था।…

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 2, 2023

Former Bihar Chief Minister and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lalu Prasad Yadav, also shared his thoughts on this historic moment, remarking, "Today on Gandhi Jayanti, we all have become witnesses of this historic moment. Despite many conspiracies of BJP, legal hurdles, and all the conspiracies, today the Bihar government released the caste-based survey. These figures will set an example for the country in making holistic planning for proper development and progress of the deprived, neglected, and poor and in giving representation to marginalized groups in proportion to the population."

Today on Gandhi Jayanti, we all have become witnesses of this historic moment. Despite many conspiracies of BJP, legal hurdles and all the conspiracies, today Bihar government released the caste-based survey. These figures will set an example for the country in making holistic… https://t.co/CBtjpWENud pic.twitter.com/mK29JznLDn

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

In response to the report's release, Union Minister Giriraj Singh expressed a contrasting perspective, asserting, "Caste Census will do nothing more than spreading 'bhram' among the poor and public of the state. They should have given a report card that Nitish Kumar ruled the state for 18 years and Lalu Yadav ruled the state for 15 years but did not develop the state. The report card of Caste Census is just an eye wash..."

#WATCH | Begusarai, Bihar: Union Minister Giriraj Singh says, "Caste Census will do nothing more than spreading 'bhram' among the poor and public of the state. They should have given a report card that Nitish Kumar ruled the state for 18 years and Lalu Yadav ruled the state for… pic.twitter.com/TKUYxYyxpk

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023

Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Digvijay Singh said if Congress gets in power in the state, a similar survey will be conducted in MP as well. 

#WATCH | On the caste-based census report released by Bihar Government, Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Digvijay Singh says "I have always supported this. If we come to power here, we will also get a caste-based census done in Madhya Pradesh." pic.twitter.com/u7kEaFD6YD

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2023