BJP's ally in UP to raise demand for caste census

With only months left for the Lok Sabha elections, a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh, is gearing up to go public with its demand for a caste census nationally, as well as to conduct one in the populous state.

The Apna Dal (Sonelal) has decided to celebrate its foundation day in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (UP) on November 4 and on that day, the leadership is expected to call for a census to figure out the caste composition in the country.

“Apna Dal (Sonelal) was formed to fight for social justice. Since we have always supported the demand for a caste-based census, the issue will be taken up for discussion at the meeting,” said Dr Sunil Patel, a party leader and an MLA in UP.

Patel said the Apna Dal (Sonelal) leadership had been repeatedly asking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, about a national caste census.

Source of embarrassment

A public demand by the ally can embarrass the BJP.

“It will be unfair to say there is no discussion between the BJP and Apna Dal on caste census. Our leader Anupriya Patel has repeatedly spoken to the BJP central leadership. Others have spoken to BJP leaders in UP. While the BJP is non-committal, ideally we want it to give us a timeline and a public commitment vis-a-vis the caste census,” pointed out Sunit Patel.

While the parties opposed to the BJP are clear on the need for a caste census, some members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are keen to flag the issue in the coming winter session of parliament.

The decision to bring up the issue in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was taken at a meeting of Apna Dal (Sonelal) leaders this month.

Party members said it was holding meetings in every district of Uttar Pradesh and were hearing from people that they want a caste census in UP and also nationally.

Clarity on caste census

The party leaders believe there is a need to speak clearly on the issue as it could play a vital role in the general elections of 2024.

“The first step is to start talking about caste census openly, especially at public meetings. The second is to raise it in parliament to put pressure on the BJP leadership,” said a senior leader.

The problem for the BJP is that the Apna Dal (Sonelal) is not the only alliance partner in UP to demand a caste census. OP Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), too reiterated his stand on Thursday.

“We have always been supportive of the idea of a caste census because we believe in social justice,” said Rajbhar.

Pressure from below

Political analysts believe the BJP would face pressure from regional parties and smaller partners in states over caste census.

“The NDA partners are small political parties but they know they can grow only with the support of their own community. Most of these parties draw support from one or two communities, so they back a caste census. They are also aware that such a census will help them grow politically and socially,” said Yatindra Singh Sisodia, professor and director at the Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain.