Patna (Bihar) [India], April 30 : After the Union Cabinet decided to include caste enumeration in the national census, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said that the approval over the decision is yet another example of how socialist ideas, once dismissed or ridiculed, are eventually adopted by mainstream political forces.
"What we socialists proposed 30 years ago--be it reservation, caste census, equality, fraternity, secularism--others take decades to follow. There is still a long way to go. But make no mistake--we will keep making these Sanghis dance to our agenda," Lalu Yadav said.
In a post on X, Lalu Yadav posted, "When I was national president of Janata Dal, the United Front government in 1996-97 had decided to conduct a caste census as part of the 2001 national census. But that move was shelved by the NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee."
He said that the demand was revived in 2011 during the UPA tenure when he, along with late Mulayam Singh Yadav and late Sharad Yadav, stalled Parliament for several days until then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured a socio-economic survey would be conducted in its place.
Lalu also highlighted that the first caste-based survey in India was successfully carried out in Bihar under the Mahagathbandhan government during its 17-month rule, adding that the momentum for caste enumeration has always come from regional socialist forces.
"What we socialists proposed 30 years ago--be it reservation, caste census, equality, fraternity, secularism--others take decades to follow," he said.
Referring to criticism often faced by proponents of caste enumeration, Lalu added, "Those who once called us casteist are now toeing our line. When we demanded a caste census, we were attacked, but today the same agenda is being accepted nationwide."
He concluded his remarks with a sharp political message, "There's still a lot to be done. We will continue to make these Sanghis dance to our agenda."

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also spoke to the mediapersons and said, "We hope the census will be done before the delimitation exercise...It is a slap on the faces of those who used to blame us for spreading casteism."
"Until we don't get scientific data, we won't be able to bring the backwards classes into the mainstream..Naturally, the people of the BJP will take credit for it. But Modi ji had rejected it many times. Lalu ji fought the actual fight for the caste census," he said.
In a significant decision, the government on Wednesday decided that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census.
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also spoke to ANI and said, "I thank and congratulate Narendra Modi ji for deciding to include caste in the national census."

Congress leader Udit Raj said, "I welcome this decision. This is Congress's victory. Ultimately, the Modi government is having to conduct a caste census."

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy also reacted to the same and said, "This initiative comes from the state of Telangana, which has done a caste census recently. Rahul Gandhi, who conducted the Bharat Jodo Yatra, noticed the need for a caste census. We are thankful to Narendra Modi ji and the Cabinet ministers for accepting this. This is what our leader, Rahul Gandhi, dreamed about. We are happy to see his dream being fulfilled."