Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census, stating that it would help understand society better and support effective policy making.
As per ANI, Pawar made these remarks after unfurling the national flag at the Pune City Police Headquarters Parade Ground on the occasion of Maharashtra’s 65th Foundation Day. Speaking to the press, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Union Cabinet for approving the proposal.
“The demand for a caste-based census has existed for many years,” Pawar said. “It provides a clearer picture of the social composition of the country and supports the formulation of inclusive policies. This step by the Centre will bring justice to many communities that have long awaited recognition.”
Pawar also pointed out that the opposition frequently politicises good decisions. “If a progressive move is made, they call it vote-bank politics. If no decision is taken, they say the government is inactive. This has become their standard narrative. The Lok Sabha elections are still four and a half years away, only a few state elections are scheduled in between,” he added.
Pawar also extended support to the “One Nation, One Election” concept, likening it to the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). “Just like we implemented ‘One Nation, One Tax’, we must now consider ‘One Nation, One Election’. This would bring stability and help reduce the frequency of electoral disruptions. Had Atal Bihari Vajpayee been alive, I believe he would have welcomed the idea wholeheartedly,” Pawar noted.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, recently approved the inclusion of caste data in the national census. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the move reflects the Centre’s commitment to the country’s social fabric and constitutional values.
He added that while several states have conducted independent caste surveys, these have often lacked consistency, transparency and objective purpose. “Such fragmented efforts have, at times, sown confusion and led to political unrest,” Vaishnaw said. “This is why caste enumeration should be done through the official census and not through separate exercises.”
Pawar also remarked that this Maharashtra Day is particularly special due to the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which will be hosted in the state, a first-of-its-kind initiative to bolster the creative economy.
(With inouts from ANI)
