Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census. He praised the move as a significant step toward ensuring data-driven policymaking and inclusive governance. Sarma stated that the decision marks a progressive shift in India’s approach to social justice and development planning.
Speaking from Guwahati, Sarma said the inclusion of caste data in the census will allow both central and state governments to identify socio-economic disparities among various communities more accurately. He noted that targeted welfare schemes often suffer from the lack of authentic community-level data. With caste enumeration, policymakers will gain a clearer picture of ground realities, enabling better resource allocation and monitoring.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this initiative reflects the Centre’s commitment to empower marginalized groups. He expressed confidence that the collected data would strengthen the foundation of inclusive governance and help bridge social and economic gaps. Sarma also highlighted that Assam had long awaited such a move to understand intra-community inequalities across ethnic and tribal populations in the state.
During a media interaction, Sarma clarified that the caste-based census would not lead to any division in society. Instead, he believes it will serve as a unifying tool that brings recognition to long-neglected communities. He dismissed opposition fears that caste enumeration could politicize identities and disrupt harmony, saying that transparency in data builds trust, not division.
The Assam government has already begun consultations with various community leaders and civil society groups to facilitate the implementation of caste enumeration in the state. Officials in the state’s Planning and Development Department are preparing detailed protocols to assist the Centre in the data collection process. Sarma assured that Assam would fully cooperate with the Union government to ensure that enumeration proceeds without technical or social hurdles.
Political observers believe that this decision could alter electoral narratives across the country. In Assam, where caste and ethnic identities often intersect with language and regional concerns, the move has triggered discussions on how it will influence welfare programs and state planning. Sarma welcomed this debate as healthy, saying democracy thrives on informed dialogue.
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of data privacy. He said the government would take all necessary measures to protect personal data during the census exercise. He added that strict protocols would govern the collection, storage, and use of the caste data, in line with constitutional values and the rule of law.
Leaders from various political parties in Assam responded cautiously. While some regional outfits welcomed the move as long overdue, others raised concerns about potential misuse. Sarma responded by calling on all political actors to engage constructively and ensure that the data benefits the most vulnerable communities, rather than becoming a political weapon.
Social groups and community-based organizations across Assam reacted positively to the announcement. Several leaders from OBC, SC, ST, and minority communities expressed hope that the move would finally provide visibility to their socio-economic struggles. They urged the state government to ensure that the caste enumeration remains transparent and unbiased.
The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census comes at a crucial time, as India prepares for major social and economic transitions. With growing demands for equitable development, real-time data on community needs has become essential. Sarma said that the move will usher in a new era of evidence-based governance that could redefine development in multi-ethnic states like Assam.
As preparations begin for the census, the Assam government has invited feedback from stakeholders, including academic experts and digital data specialists, to design robust enumeration methods. Sarma concluded that the initiative is not merely administrative but carries moral and constitutional responsibility to uplift those left behind.
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