Jharkhand Congress takes out protest march demanding separate OBC column in Census 2027
The Jharkhand Congress party held a protest march demanding a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming 2027 Census. Party leaders argue that accurate population data is essential for effective policy formulation and social welfare representation.
Why it matters
The demand for caste-based census data is a major political issue in India, directly impacting reservation policies and political representation for marginalized groups.
Jharkhand Congress on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) took out a protest march to the Lok Bhavan, demanding a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Census questionnaire. Jharkhand Congress chief Keshav Mahto Kamlesh led the march, which started from Bapu Vatika at Ranchi’s Morabadi ground.
Senior leaders of the party, including State Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Health Minister Irfan Ansari, MPs and MLAs, participated in the around 2-km march that culminated near the Lok Bhavan. During the march, Congress workers raised slogans highlighting issues related to the representation and rights of the OBC community.
Later, a 10-member Congress delegation met the Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands. The delegation also included AICC Secretary Amba Prasad, OBC Congress In-charge Yogendra Yogi, and OBC Congress State President Nishant Jaiswal.
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