RSS has no objection on Caste Data Collection for Welfare, Opposes Political Use for Electoral Gain

A big statement came out about the caste census from the national level meeting of 32 organizations inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said that the RSS has no objection to collecting data of particular communities or castes, provided this information is used for their welfare and not used as a political tool for electoral gain.

The Congress is demanding a caste census in the country. The BJP is silent on this and now the RSS has drawn a line on this.

Sunil Ambekar said that caste and caste-relations are a very sensitive issue for Hindu society and it is also important for our national unity and integrity. It should be dealt with very seriously.

The RSS Prachar Pramukh said, "So, as the RSS believes, yes, definitely for all welfare activities, for addressing issues related to particular community or caste which are lagging behind, because certain communities and castes need special attention. So, for this the government needs data. This exercise is done in a very good manner. So, the government collects data. It has collected data earlier also. So, it can do it, there is no problem." Ambekar said, "But it should be only for the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for election campaign. So we have set a Laxman Rekha for everyone." Ambekar's statement comes amid a campaign by opposition parties Congress, Samajwadi Party and other allies of the 'India' alliance demanding a caste-based census for effective policy making. The Sangh also said that the Supreme Court's decision on sub-categorisation of SC/ST should be implemented by building a consensus. Recently, the Supreme Court has given the decision of sub-classification in SC/ST reservation. However, the suggestion of creamy layer given in it has been rejected by the Central Government.

RSS says that we consider constitutional reservation very important. We have always supported it. The government and other legal authorities will have to decide about this, but it has to be decided that the opinion of those who are getting the benefit of reservation should be taken. No step should be taken before that. This should be done by common consent.

Concern was also expressed on the issue of women's safety in the coordination meeting. The rape and murder of a female trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and similar cases in other states were discussed in detail. The Sangh pointed out the need to work at five levels. Legally, awareness in the society, giving values in the family, formal and informal education and self-defence. However, the Sangh did not agree with the demand to dismiss the Mamata government of West Bengal and impose President's rule in the state.

RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said that this is for the government to decide, but in this era it is not democratically right to destabilize any government, but people will ask any democratic government to rule according to the law.