Rahul Gandhi, Kharge write letter to PM Modi; asks for current census questionnaire to be cancelled
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have urged Prime Minister Modi to cancel the current census questionnaire, arguing that its open-ended format will lead to inaccurate caste data. They advocate for a verified list of castes to ensure proper representation for backward communities.
Why it matters
The methodology of the caste census is a highly contentious political issue in India, directly impacting social welfare policies and political representation.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) over the caste census issue.
The letter said the government has opted for open-ended question format to record caste details in census, which is misleading. The letter further asked for the current questionnaire to be cancelled.
In a post on X, the Congress leaders said, “Your govt has opted for open-ended question format to record caste details in census, which is misleading”.
Briefing reporters on the letter written in Hindi by Kharge and Gandhi on August 20, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government’s current efforts towards a caste census are just a “whitewash”.
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