Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Moves Resolution Urging Centre To Undertake Caste Census

While moving the resolution, Chief Minister Stalin stated that according to the Census Act, only the government of India has the authority to conduct a caste census.

Legislators from various political parties, including the BJP, supported the resolution.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has put forward a resolution in the State Assembly urging the Central Government to immediately commence the delayed census work, incorporating a caste-based population census this time.

The resolution said, "This House considers that caste-based Population Census is essential to formulate policies in order to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities in education, economy and employment to every citizen of India."

"This House, therefore, unanimously urges the Union Government to immediately commence the census work, which is due from the year 2021 along with a caste-based Population Census, this time," it added.

 

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin moves a resolution in the State Assembly urging the Central Government to immediately commence the census work, along with caste-based population census this time. pic.twitter.com/TQ82jejt3S

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024

 

The resolution emphasised the necessity of a caste-based population census for formulating policies that ensure equal rights and opportunities in education, the economy, and employment for every citizen of India.

While moving the resolution, the Chief Minister stated that according to the Census Act, only the government of India has the authority to conduct a caste census.

He addressed a common misconception that the state government could conduct a caste census under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. He clarified that while the state government can collect data on the socio-economic status of people, it cannot gather information on categories specified in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, according to a report on The New Indian Express.

Legislators from various political parties, including the BJP, supported the resolution, which was adopted by the House in the absence of the principal Opposition AIADMK members who were suspended from the Assembly for disrupting the proceedings.

Speaker M Appavu stated that the resolution was adopted unanimously.