Sharad demands caste-based census

Janata Dal (U) leader Sharad Yadav has demanded a caste-based census to ascertain the "correct number and position" of backward classes in the country.

He also said that the JD(U) opposed a blanket reservation for Muslims, a demand in which it sees an attempt to finish the quota regime.

"Such demands (to extend reservation to Muslims) are out to demolish the very basis on which the policy of reservation was conceived," Yadav said.

However, he said that he was in favour of Dalits, Christians and backwards in other religions being extended reservations.

Yadav said reservation has nothing to do with the economic advancement of the beneficiary classes because it only seeks to offset the discrimination institutionalised in the caste system, which he said was present in all religions except Jainism in India.

Accusing Congress of diluting the reservation policy, JD(U) also attacked the Sachar committee's locus standi for suggesting reservation for Muslims on the basis of backwardness.