The Tripura unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census as a historic move that will usher in a new era of social justice. BJP leaders in the state hailed the announcement as a clear step toward inclusive governance and empowerment of backward and marginalized communities.
Addressing the media in Agartala, Tripura BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee emphasized that the caste-based census would help the government draft targeted welfare policies and correct historical imbalances in socio-economic representation. He stated that Prime Minister Modi had once again demonstrated bold leadership by addressing a long-pending demand that earlier regimes, especially the Congress, had consistently ignored.
The BJP leadership in Tripura also alleged that previous governments failed to act on the issue due to a lack of political will. They accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics while refusing to acknowledge the structural inequalities faced by backward communities. Bhattacharjee said that the Modi government’s commitment to data-driven governance and social equity is evident in its willingness to act where others hesitated.
Meanwhile, the announcement triggered celebrations among members of the Youth Congress in Tripura. They credited Rahul Gandhi for consistently advocating for caste-based data collection as a tool for genuine upliftment. Youth Congress president Pujan Biswas claimed that the central government had responded only after sustained pressure from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and repeated public appeals.
He argued that while the BJP is trying to take credit, it was the Congress that brought the issue to national attention through detailed policy discussions and mass mobilization. According to Biswas, Rahul Gandhi’s consistent focus on equity and social justice has forced the current administration to rethink its strategy.
However, the BJP leadership quickly dismissed these claims, asserting that Rahul Gandhi had neither the political clarity nor the administrative track record to initiate such reforms when his party was in power. They pointed out that the UPA government had shelved multiple proposals for a caste census during its tenure.
Tripura BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee said that the party would ensure that the benefits of the caste census reach every corner of the state. He added that accurate caste data would allow both the central and state governments to allocate resources more effectively, reduce disparity, and create new opportunities for traditionally disadvantaged communities.
He also noted that the data would support Tripura’s efforts to further integrate tribal and other backward communities into mainstream development plans. He stated that the BJP’s focus remains on accountability, transparency, and targeted governance, and the caste census would provide a strong foundation for those goals.
Civil society groups and academic researchers in Tripura have welcomed the move, stating that the availability of detailed caste data will offer new insights into the social structure of the state. They believe that such data could also reshape political discourse in the coming years, as leaders and policymakers become more informed about demographic realities.
Various social welfare organizations have already started preparing reports and awareness campaigns in anticipation of the census rollout. They have urged citizens to participate actively and truthfully so the collected data reflects the actual composition of society.
The state administration in Tripura has also begun preliminary discussions on the technical and logistical aspects of implementing caste enumeration. Government officials have confirmed that training modules for census staff are being updated to include protocols for caste data collection, which will be carried out in strict adherence to privacy guidelines and legal safeguards.
As the political debate over the caste census continues to intensify, both BJP and Congress leaders in Tripura appear keen to position themselves as champions of social justice. However, with the census timeline yet to be officially confirmed, all eyes remain on the central government’s next steps in rolling out this politically significant initiative.
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