MK Stalin writes to PM Modi, welcomes Centre’s move on caste-enumeration in national census
In his letter, the chief minister urged the PM to have wide-ranging consultations with states so that the exercise is carried out with the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming Centre’s move to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census.
Stalin urged the PM to have wide-ranging consultations
In his letter, the chief minister urged the PM to have wide-ranging consultations with states so that the exercise is carried out with the spirit of cooperative federalism. He observed that the move to include caste census has "far-reaching implications for social justice, equitable policy-making, and the federal structure of our nation.”
‘Decision aligns with long-standing demand of Tamil Nadu’
"At the outset, I welcome the inclusion of caste details in the census, as it aligns with the long-standing demand of the Government of Tamil Nadu for comprehensive, reliable Stalin noted that the caste enumeration touches upon "deep-rooted social dynamics, regional variations in caste structures, and the potential for unintended societal tensions if not handled with utmost care."
"The framing of questions, categories, sub-categories, and the methodology for data collection must be precise, inclusive, and free from ambiguity to ensure accuracy and public trust," he observed further.
Stressing that the outcome of the census impacts states, he added, "Given that the Census is a Union subject, but its outcomes profoundly impact State-level policies... the Union Government must consult all States and Union Territories before finalising the guidelines and questionnaire."
Stalin urges PM to take two specific steps
Stalin urged the PM to take two specific steps. The first one is the constitution of "a consultative mechanism involving Chief Ministers and representatives of States to discuss and refine the guidelines for caste enumeration."
Another one being "due diligence in designing the framework, including pilot testing where necessary, to safeguard the sensitivity of the process and ensure the data's reliability for advancing social justice."